The Cambridge City Council postponed its mayoral election at the request of Councillor Michael A. Sullivan who was away on his honeymoon and unable to attend Monday night's council meeting, according to the City Clerk's office.

The mayoral election was originally planned for Monday night.

Councillor Sheila D. Russell's mayoral term ended Jan. 5.

The council will not meet next week in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, so councillors will likely wait until Jan. 26 to cast their ballots, said Councillor Francis H. Duehay '55.

The mayor is elected by council members from among their own ranks.

Duehay will serve as acting-mayor until the election, in accordance with the city's constitution which states that, in the absence of an elected mayor, acting-mayors are chosen by seniority.

Duehay and Russell have both declared themselves among the mayoral candidates.

Duehay said a month without an elected mayor will hinder both the council and the school committee since the mayor chairs both groups and is responsible for appointing subcommittees in the council and approving funding in the schools.

Although any four councillors can call a special meeting to select a mayor, Duehay said he was not aware of any councillors planning to do so.