If Jersey City Councilwoman Nidia Rivera Lopez (D-Orlando) resigns or is forced out before early September, Ward C voters would elect a replacement in a November 2009 special election to fill the remaining 44 months of her term.  If Lopez holds off until mid-September, the special election will not be held until May 2010.  Either way, the City Council would appoint someone to fill the vacancy until a special election is held.

Update: Lopez, who attended a Council meeting last night, is in Orlando today. 

A special election could pit Mayor Jerramiah Healy and the Hudson County Democratic Organization against City Councilman Steven Fulop, who is widely viewed as a 2013 mayoral candidate.  Both would likely recruit candidates to run.  And a special election could mean increased turnout in part of Jersey City - not a bad thing for Gov. Jon Corzine, who has the backing of Healy and Fulop.