
One issue that invariabely causes confusion in the PORTA Board of Education races is the design of the Ballot. Fortunately this year the ballot is very simple to understand. For the first time in many years the Board Election is a true popular vote election, in that the top three vote getters will recieve the three board seats. The Ballot this year is very simple to understand as all the candidates are on the same ballot question and the directions explain to vote for three of the four candidates. In years past we have had candidates not earn a seat even if they received a higher number of votes because our school district elections are done so in voting districts. The School Board can seat no more than three board members from any one district. If a voting district has three members seated who are not up for election and a candidate runs for a open seat but resides in the same district as the current three seated members, that candidate could not be seated even if they recieved the most votes in the election.
Fortunately, this election year there is no confusion, vote for your top three candidates and if they recieve the highest number of votes they will be your new Board of Education members.