LOS ANGELES (CNS) — The county Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office today began sending vote-by-mail ballots to registered voters in the Los Angeles City Council’s Sixth District for a special election to replace Nury Martinez, who resigned her seat following racist remarks she made in a recorded meeting.

The special election is set for April 4, with a runoff scheduled for June 27 if necessary. The winner will fill out the remainder of Martinez’s term, which ends in December 2024.

The Sixth District — which includes central and eastern portions of the San Fernando Valley — is being overseen by a non-voting caretaker, the city’s chief legislative analyst, Sharon Tso. A non-voting caretaker does not hold a seat on the council but oversees the council office to ensure the district provides constituent services and other basic functions.

Martinez, the former council president, resigned for her participation in a leaked racist conversation in October 2021.

The council voted to hold a special election rather than appoint a fill-in council member for the remainder of Martinez’s term.

Seven candidates will appear on the ballot:

   — Isaac Kim, small business owner;

   — Imelda Padilla, community relations manager;

   — Rose Grigoryan, social activist/journalist;

   — Marisa Alcarez, environmental policy director;

   — Antoinette Scully, community organizer/mother;

   — Douglas Dagoberto Sierra, father/business consultant; and

   — Marco Santana, director of a housing nonprofit.

The special election could cost the city up to $7.65 million, according to a city clerk’s office estimate.