The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to hold a special election to fill the District 1 seat that became vacant after Chair Nora Vargas unexpectedly stepped down before the start of her second term.

The seat became vacant earlier this month after Chair Nora Vargas' surprise announcement that she would step down and not serve a second term, despite winning reelection in November.

Late last month, following a resounding reelection victory, Nora Vargas said she would resign on Jan. 6 — the date her first term ended.

The county Board of Supervisors should approve a special election rather than a political appointment to fill the District 1 seat vacated by Nora Vargas, a candidate said Tuesday.