City of Marco Island, Collier County

Marco Island sets council vacancy filling rules

The law requires a November 3, 2026, referendum on new rules for filling Marco Island City Council vacancies. The rules take effect only with approval from a majority of qualified city voters voting in that referendum. Normally, the city clerk calls a special election after the Council adopts a resolution. That election fills the remaining term and must occur within 130 days after the vacancy. For vacancies within one year before a city general election, the Council instead appoints someone within 60 days. The appointment requires a majority vote, and the citizen must meet the charter's qualifications for election. The appointee serves until the next general election. The Governor can fill seats if four or more vacancies occur at once or the Council misses the appointment deadline. Those appointees serve until successors are chosen at the next regular election. If the Council misses the 30-day deadline to authorize a required special election, the Governor must call it within 10 days. Collier County's Supervisor of Elections runs the referendum under Florida election law, using a yes-or-no ballot. The referendum and effective-date sections took effect when the act became law.