Martin Kidston

(Missoula Current) The voters of Ward 1 will choose their next City Council representative this November rather than having council members appoint a replacement prior to the election.

The City Council's Committee of the Whole approved the approach Wednesday on a nearly unanimous vote, saying it was the fastest way to fill the vacant seat with a publicly elected representative and not tip the scale of favoritism toward any single candidate.

“We feel this is a good democratic way to get things done faster” said council member Amber Sherrill. “We're trying to get that clear winner in as quickly as possible.”

Ward 1 council member Jennifer Savage recently moved to Ward 3, making it unlawful for her to continue serving the district. She is now running in Ward 3 and will face

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