Decatur Election Tied: Lottery to Decide Meridian Board of Education Seats

April 19, 2025 - 08:10

DECATUR, Ill. — In a surprising turn of events, the Macon County Clerk is set to resolve a tie in the upcoming election for the Meridian Board of Education. After the official certification of the election results, both candidates, Jill Parton and Josh Lash, received an equal number of votes—282 each.

This unprecedented tie has led the Clerk's office to implement a lottery system to determine who will secure the coveted board seat. Such measures are rare in local elections, but they are within the legal framework when candidates finish with identical vote counts.

The lottery will take place next week, providing a definitive resolution to the tie. Community members are closely watching the outcome, as the elected board member will play a crucial role in shaping educational policies and initiatives for the district. This unique situation has sparked discussions among residents about the electoral process and the importance of every vote.