Overview
- The council voted unanimously Tuesday to declare the District 3 seat vacant under Montgomery’s Act 618 of 1975 after reviewing property deeds, water bills and other records.
- Officials pointed to a 2024 home purchase in District 7 and supporting utility and courthouse records as the basis for finding that Councilwoman Marche Johnson no longer met the city’s residency requirement.
- The council opened candidate qualifying for June 30–July 14 and scheduled a special election for Sept. 1 with a potential runoff on Oct. 13 to restore District 3 representation.
- Johnson was absent from the meeting, has referred questions to her attorney, and retains the right to appeal the council’s vacancy finding to Montgomery County Circuit Court.
- Council members called the action rare and necessary to enforce residency rules and said residents would regain voting power through the upcoming special-election process.