Judge’s delay denies Willingboro voters chance to replace jailed councilman this year

Key points

• A jailed Willingboro councilman cannot be replaced through a November special election due to a judge's hearing delay
• The September court date falls after the legal deadline for scheduling a November special election
• The prosecutor's office says removal from office is mandatory in this case
• Voters will have to wait beyond the current election cycle to elect a replacement

FAQ

Why can't Willingboro hold a special election in November?

The judge's September hearing date pushes the removal proceedings past the deadline required to organize and conduct a special election in November. Election timelines require advance notice and preparation that would not be met under the current court schedule.

Is the councilman definitely being removed from office?

According to the prosecutor's office, removal from office is mandatory in this case. However, the formal removal process must proceed through the court hearing scheduled for September before the vacancy can be officially declared.

When will voters get to choose a replacement?

With the September hearing pushing past the November election deadline, voters will not be able to elect a replacement until after the current election cycle. A replacement election would need to be scheduled for a future date once the removal is formally completed.