Newton Eyes March For Special City Council Election

NEWTON, MA — Newton voters will likely head back to the polls in mid-March to fill two vacant City Council seats.

The City Council’s Programs and Services Committee on Wednesday voted to recommend the city hold a special election March 16. The committee is set to present the recommendation to the full City Council Dec. 21 for a vote.

The two seats that will be decided in the election were held by Jake Auchincloss, who was elected to Congress, and Jay Ciccone, who died unexpectedly Nov. 7.

Though the election date hasn't been set yet, the race for both vacancies has already begun to take shape.

Tarik Lucas and Bryan Barash, who both ran last year, Lucas against Auchincloss and Barash against Emily Norton, have said they are running for the Ward 2 at-large seat.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Madeline Ranalli, a Harvard University student and activist, and John Oliver who sits on the Newton Community Education board announced they both have plans to run for Ciccone's Ward 1 at-large seat.

After the city council votes on a date, that will allow candidates to officially begin to gather the 150 signatures to get on the ballot.

There will be no preliminary election should more than two candidates make it on the ballot in a race, according to City Clerk David Olson.

"Whoever has the highest total is elected," Olson said last month. "And they're sworn in as soon as results are certified."

City Council President Susan Albright said she asked the state Legislature, and Rep. John Lawn, to extend mail-in voting and in person voting into the new year in an effort to ensure voter safety amid the pandemic.

Read more:

• Race To Replace Newton City Councilor Takes Shape
• City Councilor Jay Ciccone Dies
• Harvard Student Activist To Run For Newton City Council

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.