Buda in special election overload

BUDA, Texas (KXAN) - People in the town of Buda might feel some election overload right now. The recent resignation of their mayor is having a trickle down effect. Who runs the town is still up in the air, and the dust might not settle for weeks.

The town's mayor, Sarah Mangham, stepped down citing for health reasons in October. That left her seat vacant. Now, two candidates - Ron Fletcher and Todd Ruge, both city council members - are running to replace her.

It was too late to put them on the ballot for the general election, so this week there is a special election. One of them will end up winning, so there will be another special election to replace that person.

"If it needs to be done, it needs to be done,” said Kyle Schurig, who lives in Buda.

The city says a special election will cost between $3,000-4,000. Before everything is over, it will cost the city at least $6,000.

"I think they're ready for it to be done with, for sure," said Rusty Uresti, who owns a local business. “Get the right pawns in the right square, I think we'll be okay."

The last day to vote early in Buda's mayoral race is Tuesday, then the actual election on Saturday. The new mayor will be sworn in on Dec. 18, then the city has 120 days to call the next special election for the vacant council seat.