By The Philly Public Record

– In time to make it an interesting race, Council President Darrell Clarke has issued a writ of election to fill the seat vacated by Councilman at Large Bill Green whose appointment by Gov. Tom Corbett to head the School Reform Commission has been confirmed by the Senate. The contested seat will appear on the primary ballot.

President Clarke will issue the writ of election on Monday, Mar. 24. He said, “This will give the County Board of Elections time to prepare the voting machines and for other steps required by the Election Code.”

Clarke noted, “The special election will be a one-step election, with the winner serving the balance of the term to which Councilman Green was elected until Jan. 4, 2016. The deadline for each party to file its nomination certificate designating its candidate is Apr. 8.”

Unlike the independents running, the two major-party candidates will only need a nominating certificate forwarded to the Registration Commission from their respective party leadership which attests to their endorsements.

Frontrunners for the endorsement by the city’s two major parties are Democratic State Rep. Ed Neilson (D-Northeast) and Republican Ward Leader Matt Wolfe. There may be others running, but they’ve got to come up with a minimum of 1,785 signatures on their nomination petitions, which no doubt will be challenged by both major parties. Their petitions need to be filed by Apr. 8 as well.

If you need more information, we suggest you contact (215) 686-3469 or PHLCouncil.com.

Source: http://www.phillyrecord.com/2014/03/may-special-election-called-for-philadelphia-open-council-seat/