Democrats will have another chance to change the political party makeup of the county commission in the fall. With the death of incumbent commissioner Paul Herrell, a second seat on the county commission will be on the November general ballot.

Herrell, who was elected in November 2010, died on Friday. Since he was a Republican, that party will appoint his replacement to serve for the rest of year.

However since Herrell’s term will not expire until 2014 and the vacancy happened more than 56 days before the next election, the Democrats can also put up a candidate for the November race.

“If there is more than one year left on the unexpired term, you have to elect the replacement,” Matt McClellan, spokesman for the Ohio Secretary of State’s office, said. “This is essentially a special election. Each political party has the ability to select a candidate to run for the unexpired term.”

Already on the ballot is a battle between incumbent commissioner Republican Bill Pratt and Carl Robinson, a Democrat. Pratt was appointed to the commission in April 2011 to fill the term of Jason Stephens, who was elected county auditor. This will be both men’s first campaign for the commission seat.

With the election of Herrell the county commission became an entirely Republican body since Commission President Les Boggs, elected in 2009, is also a Republican. Previously the commission had had at least one Democratic member since 1989.

“I am pleased we are to get a chance to put someone on the ballot,” Craig Allen, Democratic Party chief, said.

The Democratic executive committee expects to meet after the March 6 primary to choose the party’s candidate.

“We want to give a chance to anybody interested to contact the committee people,” Allen said.

Anyone wanting to run as an independent only has until 4 p.m. Monday to file a petition to run, according to the statute. That is because a vacancy occurred during a regular term.

Normally, independents have until 4 p.m. the day before the election day to file their petitions for office.