07/24/2005: "Time Running Out To Be On Ballot"

With the exception of the County Commissioner position, this is the last week to file for non-partisan offices in San Juan County: Monday, July 25 at 8:00 am until Friday, July 29, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. If you want your name on the ballot for the County Commission District Three position, then the last chance to sign up will be August 3, 4 and 5; the extension is due to the simple fact that Commissioner Miller will still be a commissioner until July 31.

And speaking of the District three position, it is expected the interim Commissioner that will replace Miller until the General Election, may well be decided on August 2nd, which is the first regularly scheduled meeting of the BOCC after Miller's resignation becomes effective. (Past Story)

Both Commissioners Lichter and Ranker have received input as to who Miller's appointment should be, and given the pressing issues in front of the BOCC, it will be helpful to move forward with a full Board as quickly as possible. While it is assumed the Board will soon agree on a replacement, it is possible that it could take a long time. The Board can put off -or argue over- who the replacement should be for up to 60 days, at which point the Governor is authorized to step in and make the appointment. But whomever the replacement may be, it will be the county voters in the November election that will decided who the District 3 Commissioner will be for the next four years.

But before the November election, there will be the primary election, which will be held on September 20. If three or more candidates file for a position in the primary, the two candidates with the most votes will move forward to the General Election ballot for the November 8th election.