Wisconsin Code § 17.23

Vacancies in city offices; how filled
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(1) GENERAL AND SPECIAL CHARTER CITIES. (am) Except as provided in
sub. (1b) and s. 9.10, vacancies in offices of mayor or alderperson
of cities operating under the general law or special charter may be
filled by the common council, by majority vote, appointing a successor to serve for the residue of the unexpired term or until a
special election is held, as ordered by the common council under
s. 8.50, or an office may remain vacant until an election is held.
(bm) In the office of municipal judge, in the manner provided
in s. 8.50 (4) (fm).
(c) In the office of any other elective officer, and except as
provided in s. 9.10, by appointment by the mayor subject to confirmation by the common council, for the residue of the unexpired term unless a special election is ordered by the common
council, except that in case of vacancies in the office of any such
officer of a 1st class city who is authorized by law to have a
deputy, such deputy shall perform the duties of such office, and
shall be entitled to the emoluments of such office during the remainder of the term. A person so appointed and confirmed shall
hold office until a successor is elected and qualifies. The successor shall be elected as provided in par. (a).
(1b) FIRST CLASS CITIES. In 1st class cities, in the office of
mayor, except as provided in s. 9.10, the vacancy shall be filled by
the president of the common council as acting mayor until a special election can be held. In such case, the acting mayor may continue to serve as president of the common council, in addition to
exercising the powers and responsibilities of the office of mayor,
until such time as a new mayor is elected and qualified, but the
acting mayor may not take part in any vote of the common council during that period. A vacancy in the office of alderperson
shall be filled by special election, except as provided in s. 9.10.
When a mayor is temporarily appointed, the common council
shall order a special election for the office of mayor under s. 8.50
as promptly as possible, unless the vacancy occurs within 120
days of the expiration of the mayor’s term of office. When an aldermanic seat becomes vacant, a successor shall be elected for
the residue of the unexpired term, but no election to fill a vacancy
in such office may be held at the time of holding the regular election for that office. The president of the common council of any
1st class city shall order a special election to be held under s. 8.50
to fill a vacant aldermanic seat. If a special election is held under
this subsection after a redistricting plan is adopted, the election
shall be held in the aldermanic district as it existed when the office was filled at the last preceding election.
(1m) APPOINTIVE OFFICES. Vacancies in appointive offices
in cities may be filled by appointment for the residue of the unexpired term by the appointing power and in the manner prescribed
by law for making regular full term appointments thereto.
(2) COMMISSION FORM. Vacancies in offices of cities operating under the commission form of government shall be filled as
follows:
(a) 1. In the office of mayor or other member of the council,
except as provided in s. 9.10, in the manner provided in sub. (1)
(am). In the office of municipal judge, in the manner provided in
s. 8.50 (4) (fm) . On failure of the council to make an appointment for 30 days after the vacancy exists the city engineer shall be
a temporary acting member of the council until such vacancy is
filled in the manner provided by law, and shall have all the powers, prerogatives and duties of the vacant office except the right to
vote to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor or council member.
2. When 2 vacancies exist in the council the city clerk shall
be a temporary acting member of the council until the vacancies
are filled in the manner provided by law, and shall have all the
powers, prerogatives and duties of the vacant office except the
right to vote to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor or council
member.
3. When 3 vacancies exist in the council the city treasurer
shall be a temporary acting member of the council until the vacancies are filled in the manner provided by law, and shall have
all the powers, prerogatives and duties of the vacant office except
the right to vote to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor or council
member.
4. When 2 or more vacancies exist in the council 6 months or
more prior to the first Tuesday of April of any year a special election to fill the vacancy for the residue of the unexpired term of
each such vacancy shall be held and conducted, and the returns
thereof made in the manner and within the time required in the
case of regular municipal elections, and the city clerk shall call
and give notice of such special election as provided by law within
10 days of the date when such vacancies exist.
5. While serving as temporary members of the council the
city engineer, city clerk and city treasurer shall not be entitled to
have or receive any compensation for such temporary service.
6. The powers, prerogatives and duties conferred on such
temporary acting members of the council shall be in addition to
all those otherwise vested by law in such city engineer, city clerk
and city treasurer.
7. It is hereby declared to be the purpose and intention of this
paragraph to permit the city engineer, city clerk and city treasurer
to have and perform the powers and duties herein provided as
temporary acting members of the council, in addition to the regular powers and duties of their respective offices and notwithstanding any other contrary provision of the law.
8. This paragraph shall apply only to cities organized and operating under ss. 64.25 to 64.38.
(c) In appointive offices, by appointment for the residue of the
unexpired term by the appointing power and in the manner prescribed by law for making regular full term appointment thereto.

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