MANSFIELD, Ga. — A special election will be held March 15 to fill the vacant Post 5 seat on the Mansfield City Council.

Post 5 was up for grabs in the latest municipal election cycle, but no candidates qualified to run for the seat. In August, despite seats for Post 3-5 being up for election, incumbents for Post 3 (Blair Northen) and Post 4 (Austin Mitchell) were the only candidates to qualify in the 2021 municipal election cycle. By law, Mansfield was allowed to forego holding an election. 

No one qualified to run for Post 5, a seat left empty after former councilman Bryan Hale resigned in July 2021.

Now, Mansfield will look to see that position filled through a special election slated for March 15. Whoever wins the seat will serve through Dec. 31, 2025.

In a recent interview with The News, Mayor G.W. Davis said the council had seen interest from two people for the Post 5 spot.

Qualifying will be Feb. 14-18 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day at city hall, located at 3146 Hwy. 11 S. The qualifying fee is $36.

The last day for residents to register to vote in the special election is Feb. 14.

If needed, a runoff may be held April 12.

Incorporated in 1903, Mansfield is located in east Newton County with a population of approximately 442, per the 2020 Census. The city has a total area of approximately 1.1 square miles.