Election planned June 13 for council vacancy

WINFIELD — The City of Winfield will be holding a special election on Tuesday, June 13, for the open council seat left after councilman Eddie Posey passed away last year.
The Winfield City Council voted during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 20, to declare a vacant seat on the council after Posey passed away on Friday, Dec.  9, of last year.
Posey was appointed to the city council in late 2021 after Rusty Barnes, who held the seat before him, had to resign his chair after moving outside Winfield city limits. Posey ran against Barnes for the seat in the last election and lost by a slim margin, which made Posey the council’s first choice to fill that seat.
The council had 60 days after declaring the vacancy to appoint someone for the position.
According to state law, if the council fails to find an appointment, the decision goes to the governor. If the governor fails to appoint someone, it goes to the Marion County Probate Judge, who can declare a special election for the position.
After the council allowed the 60 days to pass without making an appointment, and after the governor did not make an appointment, a special election is being held for the position.
Several city council members favored holding an election over making an appointment after the vacancy was declared.