Teachers’ Union Elects Write-In Candidate for School Board

Chef Mickey Mouse

Not in Illinois.

Of course.

I fondly remember the annual columns by Daily News columnist Mike Royko after elections.

He would get the names of fictional characters who had received votes for office.

Mickey Mouse usually got more than any other, although my favorite cartoon character Donald Duck sometimes got a few.

While visiting Galena a couple of weekends ago, I read a front page story in the Telegraph Herald headlined,

One-day social media
campaign propels
write-in to victory

Maquoketa school board hopeful outpolls
the only candidate on the ballot

Debra Lane received 258 ballots to 170 for Todd Green.

Although Lane would not say who started the campaign, there’s more than a hint through the identification of Lane as Paulette Horner, co-president of the Maquoketa Education Association. She said she passed on the information, although she stressed that her organization doesn’t “endorse any school board candidates.”

The man on the ballot didn’t even know he had opposition until a reporter called to tell him the results.

Above I pointed out this did not happen in Illinois.

That’s because write-in candidates who do not register at least 60 days before the primary election.

Thursday, January 19th, for next March’s primary election.

Members of the Illinois General Assembly didn’t want people who get angry/motivated at the last minute to be able to challenge incumbents with whom members had relationships.


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