San Mateo County should hold a special election rather than appoint a replacement for the vacancy created by Supervisor Jerry Hill’s election to the state Assembly, according to the San Mateo County Democratic Central Committee.

The Board of Supervisors has yet to decide which route to ultimately take but at its last meeting unanimously voted to begin accepting applications for an appointment with the caveat an election could still be called. An election is estimated to cost approximately $1.6 million unless the state also has election matters which could share the ballot.

Despite the price tag, the committee at its November meeting approved a resolution declaring the vacancy should be filled “by the people of San Mateo County at a special election rather than through appointment.”

The position echoes that offered by Dave Pine, a member of the San Mateo Union High School District Board of Trustees, at the supervisors’ meeting before its vote.

Both Pine and the committee argue Hill’s replacement will likely be in office until being termed out in 2022 because incumbents are rarely challenged or defeated in elections.

“It has been nearly three decades since a supervisor running for re-election has been defeated. The people of San Mateo County should be given the opportunity to fill this open seat,” said committee member Nick Akers who authored the resolution.

A special election could be held March 3, any Tuesday during the month of April or June 2 with any state measures, according to County Counsel Mike Murphy.

Under the plan approved by the board, candidates must submit an application made available Dec. 1 when Hill’s vacancy becomes official. On Dec. 9, the board will hold a public hearing for input on possible appointment criteria. Candidates would offer a 15-minute public presentation Monday, Dec. 15 followed by 10 minutes of public testimony on each applicant’s behalf. The public hearings could be mediated by either the League of Women Voters or another third party.

The following day, Dec. 16, the Board of Supervisors would either appoint one of the candidates or set a a date for a special election.

Hill represents the second district which includes the cities of San Mateo, Foster City and Belmont. An appointee must live in the district but, if an election is held, will be chosen by voters countywide.

In November, Hill was elected to the 19th District state Assembly seat. His resignation from the Board of Supervisors is effective Nov. 30.