News Summary
El Paso County School District 8 has canceled its upcoming school board election, declaring candidates elected by acclamation after determining there were no more candidates than available positions. This decision, made by the Board of Education, follows state law stipulating no election is required if the number of candidates does not exceed the available offices. The two candidates, Loretta Kimball and Shirley Martinez, will assume their roles without a formal vote, ensuring continuity in district leadership for the upcoming school year.
El Paso, Texas – El Paso County School District 8 Cancels Board Election and Declares Candidates Elected by Acclamation
In El Paso, Texas, the El Paso County School District 8, part of the Fountain-Fort Carson School District, has opted to cancel its upcoming school board election scheduled for November 4, 2025. This decision was made after the district determined there were no more candidates than available offices, in accordance with state law.
Legal Authority and Decision
The Board of Education of District 8 adopted a resolution on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, to officially cancel the upcoming election. Under Colo. Rev. Stat. sect. 1-5-208(1.5), if the number of candidates does not exceed the number of offices to be filled, an election is not required. As a result, the board determined that no actual voting was necessary for the two open school director positions.
Candidate Submissions and Certification
Leading up to the deadline to assess candidate filings, which was August 29, 2025, only two individuals submitted valid nomination petitions with sufficient signatures. These candidates are Loretta Kimball and Shirley Martinez. Since their submissions met the qualification criteria, the board decided to declare both individuals elected by acclamation—meaning they will automatically assume their respective positions without a formal vote.
Next Steps for Elected Candidates
Following this decision, the designated election official is tasked with providing the certificates of election to Kimball and Martinez. Once they receive their certificates, both must take the oath of office within 10 days. Upon doing so, they will become officially qualified to participate in Board of Education meetings and perform their duties as school directors.
Publication and Public Notification
The official announcement regarding the election cancellation and candidate election by acclamation was published by Shiona Nash, Board Secretary, on September 3, 2025. The notice was subsequently published publicly in The Gazette newspaper on September 5, 2025. This publication ensures transparency and informs the community of the official election process outcome.
Background Context
El Paso County School District 8 is situated within the Fountain-Fort Carson School District, serving students and families in the Fountain-Fort Carson area. The district typically holds elections for two school director seats every year to allow community members to participate in governance. However, in this instance, the limited number of candidates and the legal framework governing school elections led to the cancellation of the ballot and the automatic election of the candidates who filed for the positions.
Implications and Summary
This outcome ensures continuity in district leadership without the need for a formal election process since only two qualified candidates sought the two available seats. The process aligns with legal requirements, maintaining transparency and community involvement in district governance, while streamlining the election process given the absence of contesting candidates.
The elected board members are expected to begin their service promptly following the completion of legal formalities, thereby enabling the district to proceed with its planned activities and initiatives for the upcoming school year.
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Additional Resources
- The Gazette: Cancellation of School Board Election
- El Paso Times: Candidates Running in May 3 Elections
- El Paso Times: What to Know for Upcoming Elections
- Wikipedia: El Paso County School District 8
- Google Search: El Paso County School Board Elections
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