This Just In | Election Results Certified
D209 United slate breathing easier while a tight Maywood trustee race could be headed for a recount
Maywood trustee candidates Ray Williams and Rachel Montgomery are separated by a vote in a race likely headed to a recount. Williams was up by one vote after the official election results were certified Tuesday. | Facebook
On Tuesday, Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough’s office officially certified the results of the April 5, 2023, Consolidated Election to the Illinois State Board of Elections. The official results can be viewed here.
With the election results certified, some candidates in the tightly contested school board race are breathing a bit easier while a Maywood trustee board race is likely headed for a recount.
As of April 25, D209 United candidates David Ocampo, Sandra Lee Hixson and Jennifer Wenzel were leading in the race for three open seats on the Proviso Township High School District 209 school board. Barbahen was up by 12 votes over longtime incumbent Theresa Kelly — 4,811 to 4,799.
Kelly is within the margin to request a recount but it’s unclear if she’ll do so. She couldn’t be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday evening. But the D209 United slate is feeling some relief.
“We’re excited about seeing some sustainable change, which might take some time,” said Kathleen Franzwa, a member of D209 United’s campaign team.
“We’re thinking about hope and unity and coming together with all stakeholders to serve the community and the students,” she said. “The candidates are already talking about the first 30 days and what that looks like.”
The District 209 school board has 30 days to set a date for the new board members to be sworn into office. So far, that date has not been released to the public.
Meanwhile, People’s Choice Party candidates Isiah Brandon and Miguel Jones, and Maywood Forward Party candidate Rahmaan “Ray” Williams were leading in the race for three open seats on the Maywood trustee board. Williams led People’s Choice Party candidate Rachel Montgomery by a single vote — 618 to 617.
This is the second consecutive Consolidated Election in Maywood where two candidates were within a few votes of each other. In the 2021 Consolidated Election, incumbent trustee Melvin Lightford ended up in a tie with challenger Debra Vines before the stalemate was broken by a coin toss at the Elections Department of the Cook County Clerk’s office roughly two weeks after the election.
Theresa Kelly, the longest-serving school board member in District 209 history, was down by 12 votes after election results were certified Tuesday. | Facebook
Kelly and Montgomery both have until Monday to file for a recount. A spokesperson with the People’s Choice Party would not comment on record until they make a decision on whether or not to file.
Campaigns have to foot the bill for the recount themselves. A source said the cost of recounts typically varies, ranging from around $800 to $1,000. But a recount doesn’t automatically change the results of the race.
For instance, if Montgomery files a recount and the results show her with a lead over Williams, the results certified today still stand and Williams can still be sworn into office. Montgomery would have to then submit a legal challenge that would be heard in court.
“At the end of that process, the court may choose not to levy costs against the prevailing party,” Ballotpedia explains.