The City of Wilton Manors will elect its new mayor in the November general election later this year.
Wilton Manors City Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to forego holding a special election, which would have been in August, according to a statement from the city manager’s office. The Broward County Supervisor of Elections Office could not accommodate a special election within the 60- to 90- day window in the city’s charter.
Mayor Justin Flippen died unexpectedly Feb. 25 after a brain aneurysm on his way to a city commission meeting.
Read City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson's statement in full below:
“Following the passing of Mayor Justin Flippen, our City Attorney asked the Broward County Supervisor of Elections (SOE) if they could schedule a special election within sixty to ninety days as provided for in the Wilton Manors Charter. The SOE advised that they could accommodate a special election on August 18, 2020, outside the ninety day period. The City Attorney advised the Wilton Manors City Commission that, in his opinion, an ambiguity exists in the City Charter which authorizes the Commission to interpret the Charter; to decide whether to hold a special election on August 18, 2020. During the March 10, 2020 Commission Meeting, public comment was solicited and received. The Commission unanimously voted to forgo a special election. The next Mayor of Wilton Manors will be elected in the November 2020 regular election,” Henderson stated.
Read more of WLRN's coverage of tributes to Flippen: Tributes Paid To Wilton Manors Mayor Justin Flippen After His Sudden Death Sghocks Community
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