The Des Moines City Council has sped up the process to hold a special election to fill now-Mayor Connie Boesen’s vacant at-large seat after multiple council members said they heard “overwhelming” support from the public. But the decision has left some community members skeptical of the condensed timeline.
The City Council on Monday voted to direct the city to request a special election from the Polk County Auditor’s office. The approval means the council won’t take a vote on whether to hold a special election at its Feb. 5 meeting. Monday’s agenda included an item to discuss options for filling the seat, which included the possibility of a special election or the council appointing someone.
The unanimous decision came after six people spoke in support of the special election at the meeting. Other community members also reached out to council members with similar sentiments, according to Boesen and council member Joe Gatto.
“I know we got multiple emails and things. I’m happy to call for a special election and support a special election; I’d actually do it before the next council meeting,” said Gatto before he made a motion to have the city contact the county auditor’s office. “I don’t think we need to have any other discussions about it.”