In December 2004, the first annual election for the Arbitration Committee was held. Seven seats up for election: three Arbitrators, Martin Harper, Gutza, and Camembert, decided to stand down at the end of the year, and the initial terms of four more (James W. Rosenzweig and Mark, who were especially-elected, plus The Cunctator and James F., who were appointed by Jimbo Wales) expired at the end of December 2004.
When the Arbitration Committee was created [1], Jimbo intended that Arbitrators serve staggered three-year terms to provide continuity. In the December 2004 elections, arbitrators were entitled to run for re-election. The remaining appointed seats will be up for election when their terms expire. The seats held by Martin Harper and Gutza had two years remaining on their terms, and the seat held by Camembert had one year remaining, at the time of these elections.