HOLTS SUMMIT - A special election for the Holts Summit Ward 2 alderman seat will be held June 18.
The April 2 race between candidates Chris Redel and Lisa Buhr resulted in a 35-35 tie. Buhr declined to participate in a coin flip to break the tie.
Ward 2 residents have until June 5 to request an absentee ballot by mail from the Callaway County Clerk's office (10 E. 5th St., Fulton), and may vote absentee at that office 8 a.m.-5 p.m daily. Download a request form at callawaycountyclerk.com or call 573-642-0730.
For this election only, Holts Summit Ward 2 voters will vote in the foyer of the Union Hill Baptist Church at 460 S. Summit Drive in Holts Summit. Polls are open 6 a.m.-7 p.m. June 18.
A coin flip was initially planned for April 9, but Buhr cited concerns about proper procedures being followed.
"The last thing I want to do is cost the city more money," Buhr said at the time. "However, I feel compelled to uphold our voting processes. While I am not concerned that anything unethical has occurred, both the Holts Summit interim city administrator and the Callaway County clerk have never seen a tie in an election before. It is important that the people in these positions follow the process outlined in Missouri statute and be held accountable to their constituents."
Callaway County Clerk Ronda Miller has estimated the cost of a special election at $1,200.