Franklin Co. Board of Supervisors to Seeks Special Election Approval Following Passing of Leland Mitchell

FRANKLIN CO. – With the recent passing of Supervisor Leland Mitchell on July 30, 2022, a vacancy has been created on the Franklin County Board of Supervisors for the Snow Creek District seat. At their Special Called Meeting held August 3, 2022, the Board of Supervisors authorized staff to forward a petition to the Circuit Court of Franklin County to issue a writ of special election to fill the vacancy during the next general election on November 8, 2022. A decision from the Circuit Court is expected within the coming days.

If the special election is certified by the Circuit Court judge, interested candidates will need to contact the Franklin County Voter Registrar’s Office to file specific documents in order to qualify to appear on the ballot.

In the meantime, the Board will consider the appointment of a qualified voter of the Snow Creek election district to fill the vacancy on an interim basis until the Special Election is held and the person so elected has qualified.

Any qualified voter of the Snow Creek District interested in being considered for the vacancy may submit a “Board/Commission Application” with a letter of qualification or resume to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. Applications are available on the County’s website at www.franklincountyva.gov/286/Boards-Commissions or may be obtained in the office of the County Administrator or by calling (540) 483-3030.

The submission deadline is by 12:00 noon on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. Applications with a letter of qualification or resume may be returned by e-mail to [email protected], fax to (540) 483-3035; by mail or hand delivered to the County Administrator’s Office located at 1255 Franklin Street, Suite 112, Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Applications received after the established deadline will not be considered.

The County recently reapportioned the election districts and adjusted the boundaries. If a citizen is unsure if they are a qualified voter of the Snow Creek District, they should call (540) 483-3030 or review the electoral maps available at the Voter Registrar’s Office, County Administrator’s Office and online at https://data-franklincova.opendata.arcgis.com/.

The Board of Supervisors will look to review the applications, conduct interviews, and then consider the selection of a qualified voter of the Snow Creek District to fill the vacancy. This individual will serve on the Board of Supervisors and exercise all powers of the elective office until the Special Election to fill the vacancy is held and the person elected has qualified.

For more information about the vacancies on the Board of Supervisors, please contact Madherleyn Torres, Clerk to the Board of Supervisors, via e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at (540) 483-3030. Questions regarding the upcoming special election can be directed to Kay Chitwood, Voter Registrar, via e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at (540) 483-3025.