Although the election is still 11 days away, two candidates for the Blaine County School District board of trustees have already effectively been elected.
Since no one filed against them, incumbent candidate Kathryn Graves and newcomer Don Nurge have won by default, Blaine County Clerk JoLynn Drage said Wednesday. Drage explained that Idaho law provides that if there is only one candidate for a trustee post in any taxing district in the state, then no election is required.
Drage verified the situation with the Idaho Secretary of State's Office before determining to leave Graves and Nurge off the ballot for the May 17 election.
Election won't be quite as easy for candidates Shawn Bennion and Hallie Kelly Star, who have both filed for the school board Zone 1 position representing the south Bellevue and Carey areas.
Bennion lives in Carey and Star lives in Bellevue. The winner will replace Trustee Daniel Parke, who did not file for re-election.
Graves, who was appointed to the school board in 2010, represents Zone 3, which encompasses the north Hailey area.
"It is nice to be uncontested in this election and I am looking forward to serving the next four years," Graves said.
Nurge will replace board Chair Julie Dahlgren, who did not file for re-election in Zone 5, which encompasses the Sun Valley and east Ketchum areas.
"No one filed candidacy against me, so I'll be sworn in July 12," Nurge said, referring to the first school board meeting in fiscal 2012 when new trustees will officially be seated on the board. "I'm kind of happy that I won't have to be out campaigning."
Instead, Nurge said, he is "out meeting with teachers and administrators to become better acquainted with the School District."
Trustees Paul Bates, representing the west Ketchum area in Zone 4, and Steve Guthrie, representing the south Hailey and north Bellevue areas in Zone 2, won't face re-election until 2013.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
Where to vote
Residents of the south Bellevue and Carey areas can cast their votes on Tuesday, May 17, in the Blaine County School District Zone 1 trustee election. The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bellevue Elementary School library, Silver Creek Convenience Store in Picabo and Cary City Hall. Absentee votes can be cast at the Blaine County Courthouse until Friday, May 13. Only residents of Zone 1 can vote. To see if you are eligible, visit the election page at www.blainecounty.org and use the "Where do I Vote:" link.
Kathryn Graves
Don Nurge
