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NATCHEZ — The City of Natchez planned to hold a special election July 15 to elect a new municipal judge to replace Christina Daugherty. However, because only one candidate qualified, that election is no longer necessary.

Daugherty resigned her judgeship to become an assistant district attorney in Sixth Circuit District Attorney Tim Cotton’s office. Her last day as a judge was April 30.

The Board of Aldermen chose Terrence Hunter as the interim municipal judge from among three candidates who applied for the position. Because three years are left on Daugherty’s term, the city was required to hold a special election to fill the remainder of Daugherty’s term.

Hunter was the only candidate to qualify in the race, therefore no election will be held.

The city’s special meeting to cancel the election is Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the Council Chambers, 115 S. Pearl St.

Megan McKenzie, city clerk, said even though only one candidate qualified, state law does not allow for the cancelation of an election before 19 days from the date of the election, which is Thursday.

The only item on the agenda for the special meeting is canceling the special election, thus the meeting is expected to be a brief one.