Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education Candidate Stan Elrod died unexpectedly last week, and a replacement is expected to be named tonight.
He was one of five candidates running in District 2, which accounts for four seats on the school board. Elrod, who died on Oct. 25, appeared to be a shoe-in.
During the primary election, he had the second-highest number of votes in the district with more than 9,000. He was also a top fundraiser in the race with more than $34,000 in contributions.
Tim Tsujii is the Forsyth County Elections Director. He says that because absentee ballots have already been mailed, and early voting has begun, Elrod’s name will still appear.
“We’re unable to reprint new ballots. However, the county executive committee of the deceased candidate’s political party will have to name a replacement before Election Day,” Tsujii said. “And essentially, the votes that the deceased candidate receives will go towards the replacement candidate.”
Since Elrod was running as a Republican, the Forsyth County Republican Party will be responsible for naming his replacement. But Tsujii says the name of that candidate won’t be on the ballot.
“If on Election Day, and for the remainder of the early voting period, if any of our poll workers are asked by the voters, you know, what will happen to his candidacy, we will offer a simple explanation,” Tsujii said. “But in terms of advertising and campaigning for the replacement candidate, that falls on the party.”
On Oct. 26, the Forsyth County Republican Party posted a message to its website encouraging voters to reward Elrod with a victory posthumously.
Early voting will continue through Nov. 5, and Election Day is Nov. 8.
Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.