12/13/12 - Livingston County and some local municipalities could be spared the cost of two special elections if legislation is approved by the Senate before the lame duck session ends. District 5 Commissioner Jay Drick is expected to become the new 53rd District Court Magistrate following the retirement of Brian Brown at the end of the year. However, the process to replace him could be costly and Livingston County Elections Coordinator Joan Runyan tells WHMI theyâre waiting to see what happens with Senate Bill 0204, which was sponsored by White Lake Republican Mike Kowall. It would eliminate the requirement that two special elections be held to replace a county commissioner. Currently, the Board of Commissioners has 30 days from a vacancy to make an appointment. If the bill passes, that means whoever the board appoints would serve a two-year term beginning January 1st, lasting through November of 2014. If it fails, then two special elections will be scheduled â a primary in May and a final in August, even if only one candidate were to apply for the vacancy. Runyan says all seven voting precincts â one in Cohoctah and three each in the City of Howell and Howell Township â would need to hold the special elections. (JM)
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