Perhaps no race in Tuesday’s special district election in Central Oregon has driven more voters to the ballot box than the race for Crook County school board. And in early returns, three incumbents were all trailing their challengers.
Incumbent Doug Smith is facing Cheyenne Edgerly. Edgerly made news last year by questioning the placement of books with LGBTQ references in the public library.
As of 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Edgerly was leading Smith 54.1% to 45.6%.
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Patti Norris is trying to hold onto her seat against Jessica Brumble. Brumble was leading 56.4% to 43.3%.
And incumbent Jessica Ritter is facing Jennifer Knight and Eddy Howard. Knight was leading 51.4% to Ritter’s 37.4%. Howard had 11%.
This race may be the reason Crook County is seeing such an unexpectedly high turnout for an off-year election.
“We’re sitting just right about 34% (voter turnout) right now, which is more than double the last district election and the highest district election turnout since I’ve been in office,” said Crook County Clerk Cheryl Seely.
According to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office, there was about 37% turnout as of 10:15 p.m. Tuesday.
