By Craig Anderson

MILFORD — A special election is set Nov. 9, following the resignation of 3rd Ward City Councilman Doug Morrow, a city official said Friday.

Mr. Morrow and his wife are moving to Wilmington, according to Sara Pletcher, economic development and community engagement administrator.

Milford City Clerk Terri Hudson said he served on council for more than 30 years, which included time spent as vice mayor, and resigned Sept. 13.

According to his LinkedIn page, Mr. Morrow serves at director of human resources at Sea Watch International Ltd. in Milford. He was not immediately available for comment Friday.

The resignation triggered the special election based on the city’s charter. Mr. Morrow had roughly 18 months left on his two-year term after being reelected unopposed in April 2021, Ms. Pletcher said.

The elected candidate will serve until the end of the term in May 2023.

The 3rd Ward is composed of the city’s northeast quadrant, Ms. Pletcher said. Only residents of that ward can vote on candidates in the Nov. 9 election, to be held 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Public Works building at 180 Vickers Drive in the Greater Milford Business Park.

Candidates for the seat must file a nominating petition signed by at least 10 registered voters from the 3rd Ward. Candidate packets and petitions are available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at the City Clerk’s Office at Milford City Hall, 201 S. Walnut St., or by appointment. Call 422-1111, ext. 1300 or 1303 to make arrangements.

The deadline to file for the vacant seat is Oct. 20 at 4:30 p.m.

Those filing must:

• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Be a resident of the city of Milford.
• Have continuously resided in the 3rd Ward for one year preceding the day of the election.
• Be a qualified voter in the city of Milford.
• Be at least age 18 on the date of the election.
• Have been nominated.
• Obtain a criminal background check from the State Bureau of Identification and FBI showing his or her entire criminal history record.
• Have no felony convictions or crimes involving moral turpitude.

Only those whose names appear on the city’s voter register are permitted to vote in the special election.

Having registered through the state of Delaware or Kent or Sussex counties does not qualify a person to vote in city elections.

Those unavailable to vote on Election Day can call the city clerk’s for more information on how to obtain an absentee ballot.