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April 25, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

School Board vacancy creates one more race

PORT ORCHARD – A Bainbridge Island School District board member's resignation in April will result in the addition of one school board race this year.

Sheila Jakubik resigned from the board, effective April 16. The district will appoint a replacement according to state law addressing board vacancies, RCW 28A.343.370.

The election requirement, however, is triggered by the date of the vacancy. According to RCW 29A.24.171, when a vacancy occurs in a nonpartisan position before the first day of candidate filing, an election must happen when the district would next be part of an election. For school districts, that is this year. Filing week is May 13-17.

The North Kitsap School District, Bainbridge Island Fire Department, Port of Waterman, Rocky Point Water District and North Perry Water District will also have elections in seats not regularly scheduled for this year.

Any districts that have had or will have vacancies are encouraged to contact the Kitsap County Auditor's Office – Elections Division to discuss whether the vacancy will spark an additional race.

RCW 29A.24.171
Vacancies in office.

 (1) If, prior to the first day of the regular filing period, a vacancy occurs in an office that is not scheduled to appear on the general election ballot, leaving an unexpired term for which a successor must be elected at the next general election, filings for that office shall be accepted during the regular filing period. The filing officer shall provide notice of the vacancy and filing period to newspapers, radio, and television in the county, and online. The position shall appear on the primary and general election ballots unless no primary is required or unless a candidate for superior court judge is entitled to a certificate of election pursuant to Article 4 [IV], section 29 of the state Constitution.

(2) If, on the first day of the regular filing period or later, a vacancy occurs in an office that is not scheduled to appear on the general election ballot, leaving an unexpired term, the election of the successor shall occur at the next succeeding general election that the office is allowed by law to have an election.

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