(WXYZ) — A lawsuit has been filed challenging the appointment of David Coulter as Oakland County Executive.

Coulter, the former mayor of Ferndale, was sworn in as Executive on Monday. He was appointed to the position following a party line vote by the Oakland County Commission.

The lawsuit was filed by the county's Republicans. It is over the deciding vote by Commissioner David Woodward.

Woodward initiially resigned in a bid to be appointed to fill the vacancy left by the death of L. Brooks Patterson. However, he later rescinded the resignation and cast a vote to name Coulter as Patterson's replacement.

If the lawsuit is successful, it could void Coulter's appointment and prompt a special election.