It was late on Sunday and I wanted to turn my petitions in first thing Monday morning. You see, there are four spots available on the board. We all run at-large for all four seats. If there are six candidates running, then the four candidates who receive the highest vote will win the election to the four seats. Placement on the ballot is important, especially in a non-partisan election for school board where turnout is always low.
Many people just punch in the first four names they see.
School board elections do not get the kind of coverage they deserve, so voters oftentimes don't even know anything about the candidates they are voting for. The doors open at 8 am. If more than one person is in line at 8 am, which I am sure will happen, a lottery is held to see whose name will go first. Of course, I have seven more days before the deadline, and I could use it to collect more signatures. But, I decide, being at the top of the ballot is worth the risk and the hassle of rushing.