UPDATED: Jeff Heiser & Peter Buas Win Special Election to Fill 2 Vacancies on Ocean City Council
UPDATED – 05/08/26 – Jeff Heiser and Peter Buas were the top vote-getters in the Ocean City Special Election and will take two seats on the City Council that were vacated by Tony DeLuca and Larry Yates. Heiser won the most votes with 664. Buas won 623 votes. Tony DeSanctis received 231 votes, William Murphy won 102 votes and John F. Adkins received 66.
Heiser and Buas will be sworn into office during a Council Work Session on Tuesday, May 12.
Image courtesy oceancitymd.gov
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UPDATED – 05/06/26 – Five candidates are running to fill 2 vacancies on the Ocean City council. A special election will be held on Friday, May 8 at the Roland E Powell Convention Center – in the Dockside Exhibit Hall. Former Councilman Peter Buas and retired Ocean City Police officer, Jeff Heiser, John F. Adkins, Anthony DeSanctis and William Murphy are running to fill vacancies left by the resignation of Larry Yates for health reasons and Tony DeLuca because of a residency issue.
The polls will be open Friday from 7am to 8pm
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UPDATED – 04/07/26 – The special election in Ocean City to fill a vacancy on the City Council has been rescheduled for Friday, May 8th. Earlier this week Councilman Larry Yates announced his immediate resignation due to health concerns. Residents who are interested in running for one of the open council seats have until this Friday, April 10th at 4:30 to file their candidacy. The Special Election will be held from 7am to 8pm on Friday, May 8 in the Dockside Exhibit Hall at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. So far, two candidates have filed for the upcoming election – former Councilman Peter Buas and retired Ocean City Police officer, Jeff Heiser.
Additional information from the Town of Ocean City:
“The Town of Ocean City is grateful for Councilman Yates’ time and service on the City Council,” said City Manager Terry McGean. “He brought thoughtful perspective and a strong commitment to the community, and we thank him for his dedication and contributions to Ocean City during his tenure.”
Councilman Yates’ resignation leaves two seats open during the May 8 election. At this time, two candidates have filed for the upcoming election: Peter Buas and Jeff Heiser.
Voters wishing to vote by absentee (mail-in) ballot must submit an application by 4:30 p.m. on May 7, 2026. Applications may be dropped off at City Hall or mailed to:
Board of Supervisors of Elections of Ocean City
c/o Office of the City Clerk
301 N. Baltimore Avenue
Ocean City, Maryland 21842
Residents can obtain an absentee ballot application and view updated election information by visiting: https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/city-clerk/2026-special-election/ or by visiting City Hall to complete an application and receive a ballot.
The Town is offering free bus service for all users on Special Election Day. The “no-fare” policy for buses and ADA service will be in effect from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. The Coastal Highway “Beach Bus” will run every 30 minutes. ADA service is available to qualified individuals during the same days and hours that the “Beach Bus” service is in operation, but 24-hour advanced trip reservations are required. Bus stops closest to the Ocean City Convention Center can be found on southbound Coastal Highway at 41st and northbound Coastal Highway at 39th and 42nd streets. For additional information contact Ocean City Transportation at 410-723-1606 or visit www.oceancitymd.gov.
For more information about the municipal special election, candidate information, or absentee (mail-in) ballots, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 410-289-8824 or visit https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/city-clerk/2026-special-election/
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ORIGINAL STORY – 04/06/26 – The Town of Ocean City will hold a Special Election to fill a vacancy on the City Council. The special election will be held on Tuesday, April 21st from 7am to 8pm at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in the Dockside Exhibit Hall. Former Ocean City Councilman, Peter Buas and retired Ocean City Police officer, Jeff Heiser are running to fill the seat vacated after Tony DeLuca resigned from the City Council in February.
Additional information from the Town of Ocean City:
Those who want to vote by absentee ballot (mail-in ballot) must submit an application by 4:30 p.m. on April 20, 2026. Applications can be dropped off at City Hall or mailed to Board of Supervisors of Elections of Ocean City, c/o the Office of the City Clerk, 301 N. Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland, 21842. To obtain an application, visit https://oceancitymd.gov/
The Town is offering free bus service for all users on Special Election Day. The “no-fare” policy for buses and ADA service will be in effect from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. The Coastal Highway “Beach Bus” will run every 30 minutes. ADA service is available to qualified individuals during the same days and hours that the “Beach Bus” service is in operation, but 24-hour advanced trip reservations are required. Bus stops closest to the Ocean City Convention Center can be found on southbound Coastal Highway at 41st and northbound Coastal Highway at 39th and 42nd streets. For additional information contact Ocean City Transportation at 410-723-1606 or visit www.oceancitymd.gov.
For more information about the municipal special election or absentee (mail-in) ballots, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 410-289-8824 or visit https://oceancitymd.gov/