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A ballot mistake will not keep residents from voting for four Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A Board of Education candidates in the April election.
Last October, the district announced there were four seats open on the seven-member board to be filled in the April election. Eight candidates submitted their names to vie for the four, four-year terms.
However, officials were alerted by the DuPage County Election Commission that there were actually only three four-year seats open, and one two-year term open.
“The School District didn’t find out about that until after all the petitions were filed,” said Board President John Wood.
He sent a letter to the eight candidates Feb. 13, noting the discrepancy.
The two-year term was a result of the 2007 election when only three candidates ran for four open seats. In June 2007, the board appointed Kevin Doherty to fill the unexpired term until the April 2009 election.
Because of the ballot error, the eight candidates could only seek three open seats, while the remaining two-year term would be vacant. The School Board would appoint the fourth new board member.
But that scenario did not sit well with four board member hopefuls.
“We felt that was wrong and that voters should have the right to decide all four seats,” said Janet Hughes, who is running for a board seat with fellow contenders Tim Goodwin, Karen Siston and Al Malley.
The four candidates sought a temporary restraining order to keep the ballots from being printed.
Federal Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan ruled in favor of Hughes, Goodwin, Siston and Malley Monday, Feb. 23.
| Who is running? Candidates on the April 7 ballot: • Al Albrecht (Incumbent) • Lisa Wright (Incumbent) • Janet Hughes • Timothy L. Goodwin • Karen Siston • Al Malley • Kevin Doherty (Incumbent) • Dave Leahy (Incumbent) |
Now, the top three vote getters will win the four-year term and the fourth highest vote getter will win the two-year unexpired term from 2007.
“It was an error, and we’re glad the judge ruled in our favor to have the voters decide who should be on the board,” Hughes said. “We’re pleased with the outcome — no doubt about it. One of the reasons we’re running is to have our voices heard. We’re glad we took the initiative to do the right thing.”
Wood said the School Board is happy the issue is resolved and a clear process is set in place for voters and the candidates.
“Now the matter is in the hands of the public, who will now determine who will serve our community and students on the Board of Education,” Wood said.
A ballot mistake will not keep residents from voting for four Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A Board of Education candidates in the April election.
Last October, the district announced there were four seats open on the seven-member board to be filled in the April election. Eight candidates submitted their names to vie for the four, four-year terms.
However, officials were alerted by the DuPage County Election Commission that there were actually only three four-year seats open, and one two-year term open.
“The School District didn’t find out about that until after all the petitions were filed,” said Board President John Wood.
He sent a letter to the eight candidates Feb. 13, noting the discrepancy.
The two-year term was a result of the 2007 election when only three candidates ran for four open seats. In June 2007, the board appointed Kevin Doherty to fill the unexpired term until the April 2009 election.
Because of the ballot error, the eight candidates could only seek three open seats, while the remaining two-year term would be vacant. The School Board would appoint the fourth new board member.
But that scenario did not sit well with four board member hopefuls.
“We felt that was wrong and that voters should have the right to decide all four seats,” said Janet Hughes, who is running for a board seat with fellow contenders Tim Goodwin, Karen Siston and Al Malley.
The four candidates sought a temporary restraining order to keep the ballots from being printed.
Federal Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan ruled in favor of Hughes, Goodwin, Siston and Malley Monday, Feb. 23.
| Who is running? Candidates on the April 7 ballot: • Al Albrecht (Incumbent) • Lisa Wright (Incumbent) • Janet Hughes • Timothy L. Goodwin • Karen Siston • Al Malley • Kevin Doherty (Incumbent) • Dave Leahy (Incumbent) |
Now, the top three vote getters will win the four-year term and the fourth highest vote getter will win the two-year unexpired term from 2007.
“It was an error, and we’re glad the judge ruled in our favor to have the voters decide who should be on the board,” Hughes said. “We’re pleased with the outcome — no doubt about it. One of the reasons we’re running is to have our voices heard. We’re glad we took the initiative to do the right thing.”
Wood said the School Board is happy the issue is resolved and a clear process is set in place for voters and the candidates.
“Now the matter is in the hands of the public, who will now determine who will serve our community and students on the Board of Education,” Wood said.
