Candidates for the Honolulu City Council seat representing Kailua, Kaneohe and Waimanalo would have until March 9 to file their nomination papers, under a proposal that's likely to be approved by the council today.

The special election to fill Barbara Marshall's former seat will be conducted primarily as a vote-by-mail election. Marshall died from cancer Sunday.

Under a schedule announced yesterday the city will mail out ballots to District 3 voters on or about April 3. The deadline for ballots to be returned to the city clerk will be April 23. The winner of the election is expected to be announced that evening.

No polling places will be open on April 23. However, absentee walk-in voting will be possible from April 6 through April 21.

The estimated cost of the special election is about $250,000.