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Patrick Boykin, District 2, Danny Cowart, District 3, and Stan Bulger, District 4 were elected to the Simpson County School Board.
The school board election comes under Election law 37-5-9 which states that a winner is declared who receives the most votes. (A run off is not required or 51%)
37-5-9
The name of any qualified elector who is a candidate for the county board of education shall be placed on the ballot used in the general elections by the county election commissioners, provided that the candidate files with the county election commissioners, not more than ninety (90) days and not less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of such general election, a petition of nomination signed by not less than fifty (50) qualified electors of the county residing within each supervisors district. Where there are less than one hundred (100) qualified electors in said supervisors district, it shall only be required that said petition of nomination be signed by at least twenty percent (20%) of the qualified electors of such supervisors district. The candidate in each supervisors district who receives the highest number of votes cast in the district shall be declared elected.
37-5-19
Vacancies in the membership of the county board of education shall be filled by appointment, within sixty (60) days after the vacancy occurs, by the remaining members of the county board of education. Said appointee shall be selected from the qualified electors of the district in which the vacancy occurs, and shall serve until the first Monday of January next succeeding the next general election, at which general election a member shall be elected to fill the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner and with the same qualifications applicable to the election of a member for the full term. In the event the school district is under conservatorship and no members of the county board of education remain in office, the Governor shall call a special election to fill the vacancies and said election will be conducted by the county election commission.
In the event the vacancy occurs more than five (5) months prior to the next general election and the remaining members of the county board of education are unable to agree upon an individual to be appointed, any two (2) of the remaining members may certify such disagreement to the county election commission. Upon the receipt of such a certificate by the county election commission, or any member thereof, the commission shall hold a special election to fill the vacancy, which said election, notice thereof and ballot shall be controlled by the laws concerning special elections to fill vacancies in county or county district offices. The person elected at such a special election shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Much confusion surrounded the naming of the board members. Many people were under the assumption that a 51% vote for a candidate was required to declare a winner. After several discussions throughout the day, the ruling from the Secretary of State’s office as well as the Attorney General’s office was announced.
The new board members will take their positions in January.
The election has not been certified.
Patrice Boykin
Danny Cowart
Stan Bulger
How can Boykin win in a state regulated election with less than 51% of the vote! This is voter fraud ethics violations and many more at its best smh! Only in Mississippi