The Texas Attorney General’s office has approved dates for a special election in Port Arthur to determine a new District 4 City Councilmember.

The election is to replace Stephen Mosely, who resigned from the seat to run for Precinct 3 Jefferson County Commissioner. The April 2 election will make three times Port Arthur voters will go to the between now and May. That number could increase to six if there are runoff elections.

Jefferson County will administer the March primaries and invoice the city for its share of the cost, while the city of Port Arthur will conduct the April 2 special election and the May uniform election for city and schools.

City Secretary Sherri Bellard said scheduling for the District 4 special election around the other two elections has been difficult, but has finally gained state approval. City Council is scheduled to call for the election at their next meeting Tuesday.

Candidates wishing to file for the seat can do so starting Wednesday, Jan. 13. Filing deadline ends on Monday, Feb. 1.

The last day to withdraw is Friday, Feb. 5.

The early voting period is from Wednesday, March 16 to Tuesday, March 29.

Bellard said a 10-day early voting period is required when an election is not part of the yearly uniform elections in May, which only requires seven days for early voting.

The proposed runoff date if no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote is May 28.

The April 2 election will be the second special election in Port Arthur within a six-month time period.

Both were called after a sitting councilmember declared their intention to run for another political office and had to resign their positions in keeping with state law.

E-mail: sherry.koonce@panews.com

Twitter: skooncePANews