Election Almost Set for Pearlberg's Seat

The Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration approved one special Marietta election Monday and did all it could to prepare for another one.

As expected, the agreed to hold a special election July 31 to fill the Ward 1 seat on the . That’s already the day of the primary for state and local elections, so city won't have to pay for an additional election.

First-term board member Logan Weber announced his resignation last month because he’s moving to Nashville, TN, for a new job, The Marietta Daily Journal reported.

The winner of the special election will serve until Dec. 31, 2013, the expiration of Weber’s term.

Elections Director Janine Eveler was hoping the board also could schedule a special election for the Ward 4 seat on the , which Van Pearlberg is expected to vacate as part of his run for judge.

The elections board’s attorney, , said Pearlberg intends to resign April 20, maximizing his time on the council while allowing the special election to replace him to be held July 31.

But Litchfield said the board has to wait for the actual resignation to schedule the special election.

The board has to submit a legal advertisement to the MDJ by April 27 to hold the special election in July, which means it can’t wait until its next scheduled meeting, May 14, to act.

With reluctance, Chairwoman Beverly Smith therefore scheduled a special meeting of the board for Monday, April 23, at 8 a.m.—to be held only if Pearlberg does resign on the preceding Friday.

Pearlberg’s term also runs through the end of 2013.