Youngstown administration reviewing legal guidance to appoint new 6th Ward councilperson
The Youngstown Law Department has outlined its guidance for city administration on the process to appoint a new councilperson to represent the city's sixth ward.
Previously, Councilwoman Anita Davis held the sixth ward seat.
However, that seat has remained vacant since Davis stepped into her new role as Youngstown City Council president on January 1, 2026.
The law department outlines that in these circumstances, the Sixth Ward's Precinct Committee is the first body that would have the opportunity to appoint a replacement councilmember.
However, the Mahoning County Democratic Party and its central committee were unable to get a quorum, which is described as a majority of eligible voting members who can make the decision, within 45 days.
Since the precinct committee was unable to appoint, the decision then moves to the Youngstown City Council body for consideration.
Council has 30 days from February 15 to appoint a replacement through a motion and a simple majority vote, setting a deadline of March 16.
If the Youngstown City Council is further unable to appoint a replacement in that timeframe, the law department states that the decision would solely rest on Mayor Derrick McDowell.
Mayor McDowell, according to the law department's guidance, would be able to choose any candidate from the sixth ward as long as they met the requirements of the City Charter. He would not be required to choose a candidate nominated by City Council.
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