In a general-law city, what happens to the ex-officio status of the mayor if an ordinance is adopted authorizing the election or appointment of a judge?

• A. The mayor ceases to act as ex-officio judge after the ordinance is adopted
• B. The mayor continues to act as ex-officio judge regardless
• C. The ordinance has no effect on the mayor's status
• D. The governor makes the appointment instead

Answer: (A)

Ex-officio status is tied to holding the office. When a general-law city adopts an ordinance that creates a method to elect or appoint a city judge, the mayor no longer serves as a judge by virtue of being mayor. The new process replaces the mayor’s ex-officio role with an independently selected judge, whether elected or appointed under that ordinance. So the mayor ceases to act as ex-officio judge after the ordinance is adopted. The governor isn’t involved in this local process, and the ordinance does have a direct effect by changing how the judge is selected.