Votes for dead mayor declared invalid

MONTAGUE, Mich., Nov. 10 (UPI) -- A Michigan town is getting a new mayor who received fewer votes than the dead incumbent in this week's election.

Officials in Montague said they had reviewed the city charter and state election law following the death last week of 84-year-old Mayor Henry Roesler Jr. and determined any votes he received would be invalid. Roesler out-polled Kevin Erb 129-115 Tuesday but the victory went to the challenger, The Muskegon Chronicle reported Wednesday.

"I'm looking forward to doing the job," Erb said.

"I have great respect for Mayor Roesler and the direction he had our city going," Erb said. "He definitely set the bar high."

Erb said he is hoping to find a list of goals written down by Roesler before his death last week following a battle with cancer. Roesler served for 20 years as mayor of the town of 2,400.