Alder Arvina Martin Announces Resignation from Madison Common Council Effective May 25, 2022

Today, Alder Arvina Martin, District 11, has announced her resignation from the Madison Common Council effective May 25, 2022, at noon.

“It’s been a pleasure to serve all of you and the community over these past 5 years. Serving my neighbors and the city I love has been the greatest incredible honor. We have made some important improvements in the city from redesigning our flag, so that we can visually represent our city in the most appropriate and respectful way to updating our historic preservation ordinances and piloting the CARES Program. It’s been a gift to have been a part of these initiatives and to have served my constituents as their elected representative,” said Alder Martin.

“The past two years have been hard for all of us. From the pandemic keeping us all at home, to kids doing schooling virtually and other demands, I know so many of us have been stretched to our limits. Heading into the rest of 2022, my priorities have shifted. I want to focus on my family and personal life. I also have a new job that is keeping me very busy recruiting and training Democratic women to run for office. Fortunately, this work means I get to continue to strive to improve the city of Madison and the state of Wisconsin every day. The work I do at Emerge Wisconsin will help create a pipeline of strong, effective leaders that will usher our state into the future. I look forward to doing that work and continuing to improve our communities. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to lead,” added Alder Martin.

“Alder Martin has been an incredibly powerful voice and leader. While I’m excited for the new chapter in her life, her wisdom and service on the Council will be missed,” said Council President Furman.

“Alder Martin has been an invaluable member of the Common Council, serving her district thoughtfully and balancing different viewpoints with grace and empathy. As the Council’s first and only Ho Chunk member, she has provided an important connection with the Ho Chunk Nation and a unique perspective on policies and projects. I will miss her presence on the Council and want to thank her for her years of service,” said Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.

Martin was elected to the Common Council in April 2017 and was re-elected in April 2019 and April 2021. She was the Common Council Vice President from April 20, 2021, to April 19, 2022. She has served on the Ad Hoc Landmarks Ordinance Review Committee, Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee, Ada Transit Subcommittee to the Transit And Parking Committee, Affirmative Action Commission, Common Council Executive Committee, Community Services Committee, Historic Preservation Plan Advisory Committee, Historic Preservation Plan Advisory Committee, Ho-Chunk Nation/City Of Madison Joint Planning Committee, Joint West Campus Area Committee, Landmarks Commission, Madison Cultural Arts District Board, Madison Food Policy Council, President's Work Group To Review And Revise The Chief Of Staff Position, Resident's Work Group To Review and Revise The Chief Of Staff Position Description, President's Work Group To Review Council Communication Tools and Processes, Task Force on Equity in Music and Entertainment, Transit and Parking Commission, and the Water Utility Board.

Applications Being Accepted to Fill Vacancy

Must be received no later than 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 27, 2022

The procedure for filling a vacancy on the Common Council is set out in Madison General Ordinance 2.03 and Wisconsin State Statute 17.23(1)(a).

District 11 residents are invited to apply to fill this vacancy for the remainder of the term, which ends on April 18, 2023.
Check whether you live in District 11.

The Common Council President oversees the application process to fill the vacancy. Received applications are reviewed by the Common Council Executive Committee. This process includes an interview of applicants at a special Common Council Executive Committee meeting on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 6 p.m. After conducting interviews, the committee will make a recommendation to the Common Council. On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, the Common Council will appoint the interim District 11 Alderperson who will serve until April 18, 2023.

Applications should be emailed to ccec@cityofmadison.com and must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2022.

Applications should include:

• Name
• Address
• Telephone Number (Home/Mobile/Work)
• E-mail address
• A biographical resume should include education, work, neighborhood, and civic experience
• A statement on why you wish to serve
• A statement of what you wish to accomplish
• A statement on whether you plan to run for alder in the Spring 2023 election

• Friday, May 27 at 4:30 p.m.: Applications to fill the vacancy due
• Wednesday, June 1 at 6 p.m.: Special CCEC Meeting for applicant interviews and recommendation of selected candidate to Council
• Tuesday, June 7at 6:30 p.m.: Common Council Meeting - Appointment of District 11 Interim Alder.