Bullard calls on Oakland legislators to reform law on filling vacancies

The Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Bill Bullard Jr. on Wednesday wrote Oakland County state legislators asking for their help in reforming the state law regarding elections for vacancies in the office of County Commissioner. Bullard is asking legislators to consider amending the state law to make the appointment and vacancy procedure for a County Commissioner consistent with the current law governing other local officials such as county-wide, township, city and school board officers. The law regarding those vacancies provides for an appointee to serve until the next regularly scheduled general election. Only in the case of a County Commissioner, does the law require a special election if the vacancy is created in an odd-numbered year. "This is a common sense step that will save taxpayers dollars and lessen the burden on local governments. Vacancies on the County Commission are not uncommon and we should make the process for filling them consistent with other local offices," said Bullard. Under the current law, special primary and general elections will have to be held in several Oakland County communities to fill a vacancy in Commission District 2. This vacancy was caused when the Oakland County Circuit Court voted to elevate Bullard from his seat as county commissioner to the role of County Clerk/Register of Deeds following the election of Ruth Johnson to the office of Michigan Secretary of State. Bullard will serve as County Clerk/Register until the next regularly scheduled election in November 2012. The communities in Commission District 2 are the Village and Township of Holly, Rose Township, Springfield Township and Highland Township. Published: Fri, Jan 7, 2011

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