Board of Education
At-Large Election Ballot Question
What is being proposed?
Voters in Cambridge Community Unit School District #227 will decide this November whether to adopt an at-large election system for the Board of Education.
Current System: Board seats are geographically restricted—no more than 4 members can live in Cambridge Township, with the remaining 3 reserved for surrounding townships.
Proposed Change: If approved, geographic restrictions would be removed. Any qualified district resident could run for any seat, and voters across the entire district could vote for all open seats.
Why is this question on the ballot?
During recent elections, there were not enough candidates running from specific townships to fill every open seat. When this occurs, Illinois School Law requires the Board to submit this ballot question to voters.
Removing geographic caps opens up the candidate pool across the entire district, making it easier for interested community members to step forward and ensuring all board seats can be filled.
How would this affect voters if approved?
· A broader pool of candidates: Anyone residing within District #227 will be eligible to run for any open seat, regardless of their township address.
· Top vote-getters elected: Candidates receiving the most total votes overall will fill open seats without being disqualified by geographic limits.
· No short-term disruption: Current Board members will serve out their full existing terms. If approved by voters, the at-large rules will take effect beginning with the April 2027 election.
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?