For at least the second time in the history of Dover Public School, a school board election ballot included a candidate who died after filing for office.

And for the second time, the deceased candidate could end up the election winner.

Incumbent Pearl Kale, 58, who had filed for re-election to a second term, died March 8 – too late to remove her name from the ballot for Tuesday’s election.

“Pearl loved the school and her passion was evident,” Dover Supt. Max Thomas said. “She is certainly missed.”

The 34 school district patrons participating in the low turnout election divided their votes evenly between Kale and opponent Casey Gene Wilkerson.

Kingfisher County Elec tion Board Secretary Shawna Butts said after the tie vote was certified Friday, Butts (or someone she designates) will draw lots to determine the winner at a public election board meeting at 9 a.m. Monday, April 19, in accordance with state law.

If Kale’s name is drawn, the seat will be declared vacant at the May school board meeting and it will be up to the remaining board members to decide whether to hold a special election or appoint someone to serve until the next regular school election in 2022, Butts said.

Thomas told the Times & Free Press Friday he is waiting to see whether the matter is resolved at the election board’s April 19 meeting before commenting on what actions the current school board might take. board might take.

A similar situation happened in 2000 when the bottom two candidates in a three-way race for a Dover school board seat received the same number of votes, Butts said.

The election board secretary drew the deceased man’s name to advance to a runoff election against the third candidate and voters elected the man who died.

The school board ultimately voted to appoint the incumbent to serve another year until the next annual school board election, rather than calling for a special election.

In school board races and other nonpartisan contests, state law allows the names of deceased candidates to be withdrawn from contention only if the death occurs prior to a specified date before ballots are printed.

In partisan races, the party of a deceased candidate is allowed to substitute another candidate if the death occurred prior to the specified date.