Vacancies.
RCW 35.23.101
in effect(1) The council of a second-class city may declare a council position vacant if the councilmember is absent for three consecutive regular meetings without permission of the council. (2) A vacancy in an elective office shall occur and shall be filled as provided in chapter 42.12 RCW. An incumbent councilmember is eligible to be appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor. Vacancies in offices other than that of mayor or city councilmember shall be filled by appointment of the mayor. (3) If there is a temporary vacancy in an appointive office due to illness, absence from the city or other temporary inability to act, the mayor may appoint a temporary appointee to exercise the duties of the office until the temporary disability of the incumbent is removed.
(1) The council of a second-class city may declare a council position vacant if the councilmember is absent for three consecutive regular meetings without permission of the council.
(2) A vacancy in an elective office shall occur and shall be filled as provided in chapter 42.12 RCW. An incumbent councilmember is eligible to be appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor.
Vacancies in offices other than that of mayor or city councilmember shall be filled by appointment of the mayor.
(3) If there is a temporary vacancy in an appointive office due to illness, absence from the city or other temporary inability to act, the mayor may appoint a temporary appointee to exercise the duties of the office until the temporary disability of the incumbent is removed.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=35.23&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026