Roanoke City Council cancels election for vacant Ward 3 position

Roanoke City Council unanimously voted to cancel the city's Dec. 8 special election after the only candidate who applied withdrew their candidacy.

On Nov. 10, the council approved Ordinance No. 2020-139, which canceled the scheduled special election to fill the vacancy for Ward 3 after Council Member Steve Heath passed away in August.

According to City Secretary April Hill, only one person submitted their candidacy for the vacancy but later withdrew their application. The city will wait until municipal elections in May to attempt to fill the seat, she said.

Filling for the May 1 election will take place Jan. 13-Feb. 12. A total of five seats on Roanoke City Council will be on the ballot for the May elections, including the mayor's seat and four City Council positions.

“My hope is a uniform election date in May will certainly help in terms of folks interested in applying for candidacy,” City Manager Scott Campbell said. “Special elections make it a little tougher.”

More information on where and how to file for candidacy for the city of Roanoke May 1 election can be found here.