When does an elected officials term of office start?
Check your ordinance. State law (AS 29.20.150(c)) says the regular term of office begins on the first Monday following certification of the election, unless the municipality has adopted an ordinance that sets a different date. AS 29.26.070(c) requires a governing body to authorize the election results to be certified at the first meeting to canvass the election unless otherwise provided by ordinance. For example, a municipality may canvass the election on the first Friday after the election, then swear in the new members and reorganize on the first Monday after the election. AS 29.20.600 requires a municipal official to affirm in writing an oath of office to honestly, faithfully, and impartially perform the duties of office before taking office, and AS 29.20.150 provides that a member of the governing body serve until a successor qualifies for office. What happens if there has to be a run-off election? Under state law (AS 29.26.060), a run-off election must be held if no candidate rece
