The Prince George’s County Council voted Tuesday to hold special elections on May 27 to fill the vacant county executive and District 5 council member seats.
The primary election for both races will take place on March 4.
The county executive special election comes after United States Sen.-elect Angela Alsobrooks resigned from her position as county executive on Dec. 2 ahead of being sworn into Congress in January.
Tara Jackson, the county’s chief administrative officer, is serving as the acting executive.
The District 5 council seat was left open after council chair Jolene Ivey won a special election in November for the council’s at-large seat.
The at-large seat was vacated by Mel Franklin, who resigned in June — days before he was charged with campaign finance-related crimes. Franklin is set to serve one year in prison after being sentenced last month to five years in prison with four years suspended.
[Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks resigns after winning US Senate race]
Former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, the county’s state’s attorney Aisha Braveboy, at-large council member Calvin Hawkins and Ivey have already begun their county executive campaigns.
The deadline to file for candidacy is Dec. 20.
At Tuesday’s meeting, council members debated the election dates as multiple members hoped to move up the special elections over concerns about having a non-elected, acting county executive for an extended period.
“We should be looking for ways to shave this process, especially because the county executive is such a critical role that really needs a leader there elected by people to do the job,” District 6 council member Wala Blegay said.
The council ultimately decided to move the special election three weeks earlier than the scheduled date of June 17.
District 7 council member Krystal Oriadha also expressed frustration about the frequency of special elections within the county.
“We can’t afford rental assistance and things for our seniors, but we’re spending millions upon millions of dollars on these special elections,” Oriadha said. “So I think the faster we can get representation here, the better.”
