Selma City Councilwoman Dr. Monica Newton officially resigned her Ward 3 seat Tuesday, opening the way for the remainder of the council to declare it vacant and begin the election process.

A majority of the council did declare the seat vacant after city attorney Jimmy Nunn read Newton’s letter of resignation.

Nunn said he would send a notification of a special election off to the U.S. Department of Justice for its approval. Under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 states with a history of discriminatory voting practices cannot implement any change affecting voting without first getting Justice Department approval. This is called preclearance.

The Justice Department has 60 days to answer the request. Nunn says he has seen responses earlier than the 60 days before, but he has also seen responses come the day before the period ran out.

The 60 days will expire March 12, which will allow Selma Mayor George Evans to call for a special election for May 24.

That means the official election notice and day for candidates to be able to qualify should be March 15. The last day for candidates to qualify will be April 8.

Absentee voting begins April 19.

The special election is set for May 24. If there is a run-off election, it will be held July 5. The canvass of that election is July 12 and the council member will take office July 26 and serve until 2012.