Voters could fill two vacancies on the Cape Girardeau City Council in a special election on April 5 provided a primary election is not needed.

But if more than two candidates file for a seat, the general election in that ward or wards would be held on June 7, with the primary being held on April 5, city officials said.

The city council set the election dates during a special noon council meeting Thursday at city hall.

One of the vacancies already exists. Councilman Hugh White resigned his Ward 4 seat last month, saying his business schedule prevented him from being able to regularly attend meetings.

Ward 3 Councilman Jay Purcell won election Tuesday to the Cape Girardeau County Commission. Purcell, who will take office as a county commissioner Jan. 1, plans to continue serving on the city council through Dec. 31.

Beginning Jan. 1, two of the seven council seats will be vacant. With four votes needed to approve any agenda item, there will be little margin for passage of ordinances, city officials said.

To comply with the city charter, candidates must be allowed to file for office beginning 15 weeks prior to the election and ending 11 weeks prior to the vote, city attorney Eric Cunningham said.

The earliest the election can be held is April 5, Cunningham said.

The winners of the election will fill the unexpired terms, which end April 8, 2008.

Mayor Jay Knudtson worried that the election process could confuse voters because it's possible that one ward might be participating in a primary election in April while voters in the other ward could be holding a general election the same day.

Under the city charter, a primary is held if more than two candidates file for the same council seat. But council members, including Knudtson, agreed to proceed with the April special election in an effort to get the vacancies filled quicker.

City officials said holding an April election might also save the city money. A general election in April would be less expensive to the city because the cost would be split with the Cape Girardeau School District, which has a school board election on the ballot.

In contrast, the city would have to bear the whole expense of a June election, officials said.

Cunningham said there would be no savings if the city has to hold an April primary and a June election.

The filing period for both ward seats will open Dec. 21 and close Jan. 18. A candidate must submit a petition bearing signatures of at least 50 registered voters in his or her ward as part of the filing process.

Nominating petitions will be available in the city manager's office at city hall beginning Monday, city clerk Gayle Conrad said.

Under the city charter, candidates must be at least 21 years of age, registered voters and have resided in the city for at least two years prior to their election.

Candidates also must have resided in their respective wards for at least 90 days prior to the start of the filing period, Conrad said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123