The County Commission will let voters pick a replacement for Justice of the Peace Daniel Ahlstrom, who resigned last week as part of a federal plea over some stolen Arizona saguaro cactuses.
Commissioners could have appointed a replacement for Ahlstrom at its Tuesday meeting, but that person would have had to run anyway in the November election to retain that seat.
Since Ahlstrom took an unpaid leave of absence in September pending the outcome of the federal court case over the cactuses he admitted buying, Pro Tempore Justice of the Peace Tom Leen has filled the vacancy.
Justice Court Administrator Russ Eaton has said the pro tempore justices of the peace and the JPs from the outlying communities can adequately perform the job until a permanent judge is found.
Leen is seeking election to the District Court bench and won't be a candidate for the Justice Court seat. Presently, there are no declared candidates for the vacancy.
Applicants have until the first Tuesday in June to file with the county election department for the job.
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