The Palm Springs City Council voted Thursday to let voters decide whom to choose for the District 2 council seat instead of appointing the sole candidate in the race.
During the special City Council meeting early Thursday morning, councilmembers moved forward to have the role in the November ballot 3-1, with Mayor Naomi Soto dissenting. Current District 2 Councilman Jeffrey Bernstein said he voluntarily abstained from voting on the matter.
Under California Elections Code 10229, the City Council had to vote to either swear a nominee into office or hold an election if there were not sufficient candidates.
With the councilmembers’ decision, the office of the City Clerk will accept write-in candidates during the period of Sept. 7 through Oct. 20.
According to a staff report, the election for District 2 seat will cost roughly $22,000.