The filing period for a rare summer election to fill a vacancy on the Buellton City Council opens May 5.
The Aug. 26 election stems from an empty seat created by then-councilman David Silva’s ascension to the job of mayor after November ballots were cast. Silva still had two years left on his term when he moved to the mayor’s seat.
The four remaining members remained divided about whether former mayor and council member Dave King or political newcomer Carla Mead should fill the slot.
After failing to make an appointment, the council had to call for a special election.
The nomination filing period runs from May 5 to May 30.
The seat represents District 4, which encompasses the eastern areas of the city including the neighborhoods of Village Townhomes, Thumbelina Village, and Ballard Canyon. The district also includes the area west of Highway 101, on the west side of Jonata Park Road and Central Avenue including The Village Square Townhouses, Oakside Lane Townhomes, Central Plaza Condominiums, and Central Gardens Townhomes.
Only voters who live in District 4 will cast ballots in the special election, which will have mail-in ballots only. The district has roughly 862 registered voters, according to the Santa Barbara County Elections Division tally from late last year.
The candidate with the most votes will win the job to complete the term set to expire in late 2026.
The new council member also will appoint a new planning commissioner. The Buellton Planning Commission also has operated with four members since last year due to the council vacancy.
To run for City Council District 4, a candidate must be a registered voter who lives in the district’s boundaries.
Buellton residents can visit the Interactive Review Map to add their address in the upper left blue box to determine if they live in District 4.
Buellton, like most other cities in the county, switched to district-based elections to avoid a costly lawsuit under the California Voting Rights Act.
Four of the seats represent separate areas of the city with the job of mayor continuing to be chosen by voters throughout the city.
Would-be candidates can contact City Clerk Linda Reid at lindar@cityofbuellton.com or 805.686.7424 to schedule an appointment to learn about the process to become a candidate.
The deadline for Buellton’s District 4 residents to register to vote in the special municipal election is Aug. 11. For more information regarding voter registration or to obtain a vote-by-mail ballot, visit County Clerk-Recorder’s Office – Elections and Voting.