By Alison Steinbach | Arizona Republic
A Gilbert Town Council member-elect who sued the town to take his seat immediately can take office on Nov. 3 when his election becomes effective instead of waiting until January, a judge ruled.
Laurin Hendrix argued he should be seated right away in place of council-appointed incumbent Bill Spence and that Spence’s votes should be void. Gilbert voters chose Hendrix over Spence in the Aug. 4 primary election, but newly elected town council members typically aren’t sworn in until early January.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Daniel Kiley wrote, in a decision filed Friday, that Hendrix, as an elected successor, can take over office from the appointed member once the election process is over — although not immediately.
