### Resolution 26-11 — County Council Vacancies in Office ⚠️
**Position: SUPPORT WITH A CONCERN — request clarification on second half**
Aloha Chair Batangan and Members of the Committee,
I testify in conditional support of Resolution 26-11. Requiring a special election when six months or more remain in a vacant Council term is a sound, democratic fix — it ensures the public actually chooses who represents them rather than the remaining Council unilaterally deciding for an extended period.
However, I have a concern about the second half of this resolution, which removes the time limit for the Council to fill a vacancy when less than six months remain. Removing a deadline outright — rather than simply shortening it — creates a scenario where a seat could sit vacant indefinitely if doing so benefits the voting math of the remaining members. I ask the Committee to either retain a defined, even if short, deadline for these appointments, or to publicly clarify the reasoning for removing the time limit altogether before this goes to voters.
### Resolution 26-11 — County Council Vacancies in Office ⚠️
**Position: SUPPORT WITH A CONCERN — request clarification on second half**
Aloha Chair Batangan and Members of the Committee,
I testify in conditional support of Resolution 26-11. Requiring a special election when six months or more remain in a vacant Council term is a sound, democratic fix — it ensures the public actually chooses who represents them rather than the remaining Council unilaterally deciding for an extended period.
However, I have a concern about the second half of this resolution, which removes the time limit for the Council to fill a vacancy when less than six months remain. Removing a deadline outright — rather than simply shortening it — creates a scenario where a seat could sit vacant indefinitely if doing so benefits the voting math of the remaining members. I ask the Committee to either retain a defined, even if short, deadline for these appointments, or to publicly clarify the reasoning for removing the time limit altogether before this goes to voters.
Mahalo,
Shelby "Pikachu" Billionaire