Proposed Council Vacancy Options

Board of Elections Report #2024-04

The Greenbelt Board of Elections has proposed two options for Council to consider in the event of a vacancy on City Council. If ‘Option 1’ is chosen, legislation will need to be drafted to amend the Election Code. Alternatively, if ‘Option 2’ is selected, legislation will need to be drafted to amend the City Charter. Both of these will options use the proposed timeline for filling the vacancy.

The options are listed below. Optionally, an infographic has been attached at the bottom of this page to visually represent the options available to Council and the timeline in which the Council vacancy must be filled.

Council Chooses 

Option 1: Code Amendment & Charter Amendment

• Vacancy will be filled according to the procedures outlined in the election code.

Option 2: Charter Amendment Only

• Vacancy will be filled according to the Charter.

Vacancy to be filled via the following guidelines, based on time before the next City Election

0-60 Days Before Election

 Seat may remain vacant or filled at Council's discretion

61-90 Days Before Election

1. Council must hold public hearing in each area of the City:
   • Greenbelt East
   • Greenbelt Center
   • Greenbelt West
2.  Allow a written nomination, until the date of the final hearing, of any resident who is a qualified voter in the City

>180 Days Before Election 

1. Council announces vacancy
2. Nomination papers must be filed with City Clerk within 15 days; papers include:
   • Nomination petition signed by candidate and 25+ registered voters
   • Financial report form signed by candidate’s appointed treasurer showing an open bank account for candidate’s campaign donations and expenditures
3. Within 20 days of nomination papers deadline:
   • Board of Elections must approve and Clerk must mail first-class ballots to all voters on Prince George’s County’s list of registered voters and the City’s supplemental voter list
   • Names shall appear on ballot in order determined by random drawing
   • Clerk must include ballot instructions for its completion and submittal
4. Ballots must be submitted to Clerk’s office by mailing, drop box, or personal delivery. May not be counted unless received in Clerk’s office or a drop box within 30 days of Clerk’s mailing.
5. Within 3 days of final ballot submittal date, the Board of Elections shall determine the vote totals and certify the results to Council

Special Scenario

Three (3) or More Vacancies Occur Simultaneously

1. Nominations, ballot preparation, voting, and certification shall follow the procedures stated under ‘Special Mail-in Election’
2. Once a vote is certified:
   • Candidate must take oath of office within 10 days and becomes eligible to participate in all Council proceedings

To read the Board of Elections Report #2024-04 in full, click here.