Ron Boyenga announced last week that he’ll continue his campaign for re-election to the County Board, despite losing a card draw for a tie in the Aug. 9 primary.
Three people filed for election to the District 3 County Board seat — incumbent Boyenga and challengers Greg Burger and Darrel Van Aartsen.
Burger captured more than 100 votes to easily earn his place on the general election ballot, while Boyenga and Van Aartsen tied at 67 votes each.
According to statute, the tie must be broken by drawing straws, flipping a coin, drawing cards or some other approved method.
Rock County Auditor Treasurer Ashley Kurtz opted for the card draw, and Boyenga drew an ace (which was declared before the draw to be low) and Van Aartsen drew a queen.
At that point, the loser could request a recount, which Boyenga did, and on Aug. 17 a recount revealed the same number of votes for each candidate. This meant Burger and Van Aartsen advanced to the general election.
In the days following the primary, 44 absentee ballots arrived late to Kurtz’s office, and by statute, they must remain sealed for two years.
Boyenga said for this reason, and because voter turnout was only 17 percent among precincts in his district, he decided to stay in the race for his county board seat as a write-in candidate.
“Nobody knows whose ballots weren’t counted,” he said, adding that he owes it to his supporters to stay in the race.
He made that official Friday when he filed as a write-in candidate in Kurtz’s county office.
His name cannot appear on the ballots, but by registering, his write-in votes can be counted under his own name with official results.
Unregistered write-in votes are counted together as one total under “write-ins.”
Boyenga said with higher voter turnout expected in the Nov. 8 general election, he anticipates more of his supporters will be at the polls.
The Rock County Auditor’s Office can be reached at 507-283-5060.
Also election information such as “What’s on my ballot?” is available on the Minnesota Secretary of State website, www.sos.state.mn.us.