What is it?
On August 15, 2024, the Cambridge Board of Education passed a resolution to place the “At Large Election Referendum” question on the ballot at the November 2024 election. The proposed change would allow for the election of board members at large, without restriction by area of residence within the district.
Why did the Board of Education vote to place this question on the November 5th ballot?
During the most recent election, there were not enough candidates running to fill the Board of Education. When that occurs, the Board of Education is required by Illinois School Code to submit this ballot question to voters and allow voters to elect board members at large without restriction by area of residence.
How will this change the current Board of Education?
Currently, an election of members of the Board of Education of Cambridge CUSD #227 has restrictions to allow for mandatory board representation by area of residence. No more than 4 members of the Board of Education can be elected from Cambridge Township 15N Range 3E and the remaining 3 members are elected from the remaining congressional townships.
If the ballot question is approved, all Board of Education seats will become at-large positions. Current Board members will serve out their existing terms, but future elections will follow the at-large system. This means that voters across the district will have the opportunity to vote for every board seat up for election, rather than just those representing their specific township. The next election that would be impacted by this will occur in April 2025.
What will the ballot question be?
Shall members of the Board of Education of Cambridge Community Unit School District #227, Henry County, Illinois, be elected at large and without restriction by area of residence within the District rather than in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of Section 10-10.5 of the Illinois School Code for mandatory board representation?