Residents of Bakersfield's Ward 1 push for special election

Residents of Bakersfield's Ward One are mobilizing to start the process of holding a special election to replace former councilman Rudy Salas.

Salas was elected to the State Assembly in November.

If residents of Ward One want to elect a replacement, they must turn in 1,220 valid signatures on a petition requesting that the city council hold a special election.

If no petition is submitted, the council can either order an election itself or appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of Salas' term.

Community activist Marvin Dean organized Monday night's informational meeting.

"I would venture to say if we don't petition council to hold a special election, they'll move to appoint a replacement," said Dean. If I was one of them and a ward chose not to have a special election, I would vote for a replacement versus the cost of having an election. If they're not concerned enough, why pay for a special election?"

A special election would cost the city about $100,000.

Dean says if there is a special election, he'll be running. He adds volunteers will start circulating that election petition Tuesday.