Boston City Council Votes 9-3 to Waive District 7 Special Election

BOSTON — April 18, 2025 — Boston City Council passes home rule petition to waive a potential District 7 special election, 9-3. The emergency remote meeting, called Friday after the measure was procedurally blocked Wednesday, approved Docket 0901 — sponsored by Council President Liz Breadon and Councillor Ruthzee Louijeune — which would eliminate a special election if the District 7 seat is vacated before May 8 and instead seat the November general-election winner upon certification. Supporters cited a projected $200,000 cost, a calendar that could force voters through as many as four elections in two months, and the city elections department's ongoing review by the secretary of state. Councillor Erin J. Murphy, who voted no, argued the council was bypassing the city charter's own timeline protections without giving the elections department a chance to testify; Councillor Edward M. Flynn voted no and called it "the glaring hypocrisy" that a similar special election was held for a wealthier, whiter district. District 7 Councillor Tania Fernandez Anderson, whose anticipated resignation prompted the filing, voted no and said she had directly told sponsors the petition was unnecessary.