The D.C. Council voted to delay the election of an attorney general until 2018.
More than three-quarters of District of Columbia voters approved a referendum in 2010 that made the attorney general an elected position. The attorney general is currently appointed by the mayor.
But the council voted late Wednesday night to delay the election amid concerns about what the elected attorney general's duties would be and the lack of candidates for next year's election.
The 8-5 vote followed a spirited debate. Supporters of the delay say the city isn't ready to an elect an attorney general with so many unresolved questions about the position. But opponents say the council vote disregards the will of the electorate.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
