Georgia bill would require special elections to fill Columbus vacancies

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - A bill pending in the Georgia General Assembly would change how Columbus fills vacant seats on City Council and in the Mayor’s office.

House Bill 1339, sponsored by state Reps. Carolyn Hugley, Debbie Buckner and Teddy Reese, proposes updating Columbus’s charter to clarify the process for filling vacancies when a mayor or council member leaves office. The current charter dates to 1993.

Under current law, the remaining members of City Council can appoint someone to fill a vacant seat.

“Under current law when a vacancy occurs the remaining members of the city council can appoint someone to that seat. While this process is of course legal, many of our citizens feel that they have been excluded from the process and they don’t have a voice in selecting their representation,” Hugley said.


https://www.wtvm.com/2026/02/24/georgia-bill-would-require-special-elections-fill-columbus-vacancies/