Well, it looks like it’s up to Washington voters to do the job of the City Council — pick someone to take Bobby Roberson’s seat on the council.

There’s nothing wrong with voters picking that person during the current cycle for municipal elections. There is something wrong with the council failing to carry out its duty when it comes to replacing one of its own when a vacancy occurs.

Roberson resigned his seat on the five-member council in June. Upon his resignation, the council appointed him interim city manager. Roberson, who had been serving as the city’s mayor pro tempore, was hired as a temporary replacement for Brian Alligood, who left the city manager’s post to take the Beaufort County manager’s job in June.

The council could have chose, anyone it wanted to replace Roberson on the council, as long as that person lived within the city limits and met other qualifications to hold public office. The council did not have to choose someone who ran in the last municipal election.

During recent council meetings, some Washington residents have asked the council to make the appointment. They made it clear the council’s inaction, in their opinion, is a dereliction of duty and a disservice to city residents. Among them is Gerald Seighman, who’s spoken about the matter twice in recent months.

Seighman has asked council members to explain their inaction in regard to appointing someone to fill the vacancy. If they’ve provided those explanations, it appears they have not done so publicly. But Seighman asks a good question: why hasn’t the vacancy been filled? It’s a question that deserves a public response. After all, there may be a good reason the vacancy has not been filled by the council. If there is a good reason, let the public know that reason.

As for voters who don’t like that current council members did not appoint someone to fill the vacancy, they can make their displeasure known at the ballot box Tuesday.