It's official--there will be a run-off election for the 5th Ward seat on the Decorah City Council

The Decorah City Council has approved December 8th as the date for a special election in the 5th Ward of Decorah.

A petition collected 62 signatures of Fifth Ward residents to force the special election.  Five signatures were disallowed, but that still left more than the 53 signatures needed to force an election.

County Auditor Ben Steines, who supervises elections in Winneshiek County, has told City of Decorah officials that the first possible date to hold the special election is December 8th.  Candidates for the position will have until November 13th to file nomination papers.

The Decorah City Council unanimously approved the December 8th date at its meeting Monday night.