Carroll County officials have set a date for a special election to fill the upcoming District 5 Carroll County Supervisor vacancy for Feb. 7, 2023. Rich Ruggles currently holds the seat, but he announced earlier this month that persistent health concerns had led him to submit his resignation, effective Dec. 6. Supervisor vacancies are handled differently from other elected positions. Decision-making is delegated to the county treasurer, recorder, and auditor rather than the board of supervisors. Last week, the three-person panel announced it would be best if county residents had a direct say in who would fill the vacancy instead of appointing somebody to fill the remainder of Ruggles’s term. Individuals interested in appearing on the Feb. 7 ballot as a Republican or Democrat must be nominated by their party. Non-affiliated candidates can complete an affidavit of candidacy, collect at least 147 signatures from eligible voters, and return it to the Carroll County Auditor’s Office by Friday, Jan. 13.