[UPDATE 11/21: A quick answer on the Auditor being appointed *and* elected
Q: Pardon a dumb question, but just to be clear. If that happens as described, then there would be an election for Auditor as opposed to an appointed replacement?
Champaign County Clerk: There will be both. The Board will appoint a replacement who will serve from 1/1/18 until a successor can be elected next November who will take office 12/1/18.]
[UPDATE 11/20: Some confusing information out of the County Clerk's office today. I'm not entirely sure (will update tomorrow),
From a note sent to our local Party Chairs, regarding the upcoming vacancy in the office of County Auditor:So, tomorrow I suppose we find out if County Auditor Farney still resigns tomorrow, and if so, whether I need to update the County elections page.]
"If the County Board tomorrow night votes to finalize John Farney's appointment as County Treasurer effective January 1, 2018, then Mr. Farney intends to resign as County Auditor on Wednesday, November 22, effective December 31, 2017.
Mr. Farney's resignation on November 22, 2017 creates a vacancy in the office of Auditor. Though his resignation isn't effective until December 31, the Election Code considers the vacancy to be created as of the date of his resignation. Because he is submitting his resignation during the current petition circulation period, statute says that candidates interested in running for the Auditor's unexpired two-year term may circulate petitions beginning on November 22, and file them during the normal filing period (November 27 through December 4).
I'm aware that this creates a very abbreviated circulation period, but the statutes are clear. If you have a candidate who can't gather the required signatures by December 4, please be aware that other options for winning nomination are still available (write-in candidacy; post-Primary party slating)."
The headline is about another headline causing confusion in a Congressional race, down below it had some other local political tidbits including potential County Auditor candidates to fill John Farney's seat when he takes the County Treasurer job being vacated by a retirement. It's a bit of musical chairs, but hopefully the other County Offices page can explain the musical chairs going on better than I can in a paragraph. I'll try to update the office races as it becomes official.
Here's that News-Gazette article and relevant excerpt:
Tom Kacich: Misinterpreted tweet about Davis ruffles feathers
...
Champaign County Board member Diane Michaels of Rantoul on Tuesday became the first Republican to express interest in replacing John Farney as county auditor. Farney is in line to become the county treasurer when Dan Welch retires about 11 months early on Dec. 31.
Farney was the only person to apply to become treasurer and was selected by Republican precinct committeemen Monday night.
A similar process to replace Farney will begin soon, culminating in a Dec. 4 meeting when a new auditor will be appointed. Republicans get to name the new officeholders because voters chose Republicans in the most recent elections (2014 for treasurer, 2016 for auditor).
Michaels is the only person to go public for the auditor's position although GOP Chairman Mark Ballard said two others have expressed some level of interest.
"My 40 years of experience in banking and finance, as well as eight years service as a county board member, have given me the skills and knowledge I need to make a difference as county auditor," Michaels said. "The financial challenges facing Champaign County are enormous, and my experience can help us navigate toward solutions."
Also a good reminder to verify sources and context before jumping the gun on news these days. I try to be good about it, but it takes eternal vigilance. Especially these days.
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