Dover city council seat up for grabs after councilman resigns

DOVER, Del. – Dover is gearing up for their special municipal election after a city councilman decided to step down. Councilman Tanner Polce represented the city’s first district and recently resigned. Polce says he wants to move away from Dover to expand his family.

City Clerk Traci McDowell says in order to run for city council you have to meet the following guidelines: live in the district you’re running for, be a U.S. citizen living in Delaware, gather between ten and 25 signatures from registered voters in the district, and not be convicted of embezzlement, bribery, or perjury.

McDowell tells 47ABC that this is a good opportunity for people to get involved in their local government. “It’s important for people to have a say in what’s happening where they live. You know, city council decides a lot for the residents of the city of Dover and we need to have representation,” said McDowell.

The term would expire in May of 2021. McDowell says that people planning to run for the city council seat have until Friday, July 17th to file their candidacy. The special election will be held on August 18th between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.