SEATTLE — Editor's note: The above video was published Jan. 2 when new council members were sworn in.
Seattle residents have until Jan. 9 to apply for the at-large city council position left vacant by Teresa Mosqueda.
City Charter gives the council 20 calendar days to fill a vacant position. The 20-day period began Jan. 3.
Position 8 became vacant at the beginning of the year when Mosqueda left the city council to be sworn in on the King County Council. Voters elected Mosqueda to represent District 8 in the county during the 2023 general election.
The city council will appoint an applicant, who will serve until the 2024 general election results are certified by King County Elections and the newly-elected council member takes the oath of office.
Who qualifies and how to apply
People looking to serve on the council are required to be a citizen of the United States, able to read and write the English language, are a qualified elector of the State of Washington and a registered voter of the City of Seattle at least 120 days prior to filing.
Applicants must complete a financial interest statement form and provide a residential address.
Applications are accepted via email to councilvacancy@seattle.gov.
Applications must be submitted before 5 p.m. on Jan. 9.
Appointing an applicant
Following the application deadline, the council will review applications and community input.
Applications will be published for the public to see and the council will begin interviewing candidates in a public forum.
A public meeting to receive public comment on the candidates will be held. The meeting is anticipated to be Jan. 22.
The final appointment will be done by majority vote.
The selection must be made by Jan. 23, if not, the council must meet each business day and vote on the appointment at least once per day until a candidate is selected.
New council members sworn in
On Jan. 2, five new council members and two returning members were sworn in.
Those council members are:
- Councilmember Rob Saka, District 1
- Councilmember Tammy J. Morales, District 2
- Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth, District 3
- Councilmember Maritza Rivera, District 4
- Councilmember Cathy Moore, District 5
- Councilmember Dan Strauss, District 6
- Councilmember Robert Kettle, District 7
Of those names, Morales and Strauss are the only returning council members.
Councilmember Sara Nelson was selected as the new council president.
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