News Summary
El Paso County School District 8 has canceled its upcoming board election due to an insufficient number of candidates. Two individuals submitted their nominations for two available school director positions, leading to their election by acclamation. This decision aligns with Colorado state law regarding election cancellations when candidate numbers are inadequate. The designated election official will provide certificates of election to the elected candidates, who are required to take an oath of office within ten days.
Fountain-Fort Carson, CO – El Paso County School District 8 has announced the cancellation of its board election scheduled for November 4, 2025, due to the lack of candidates. The Board of Education determined that since there are not more candidates than there are offices available, it was permissible to cancel the election following state law regulations.
On August 27, 2025, the Board of Education adopted a resolution to declare the election for the Board Director positions canceled. The law authorizes this action under Colorado Revised Statutes (Colo. Rev. Stat. sect. 1-5-208(1.5)), which allows for elections to be cancelled when there are not enough candidates to fill the positions. The deadline for assessing the number of candidates was August 29, 2025.
In this case, the upcoming election had two open offices of school director, and only two individuals, Loretta Kimball and Shirley Martinez, submitted nomination petitions that met the requirement for sufficient signatures. Consequently, both Kimball and Martinez will be declared elected by acclamation.
The designated election official is responsible for providing the elected candidates with certificates of election, which formalizes their positions. Both candidates are required to take an oath of office within 10 days following the receipt of their certificates, allowing them to begin participating in the Board of Education’s meetings.
The cancellation announcement was made public by Board Secretary Shiona Nash on September 3, 2025, and was published in The Gazette on September 5, 2025.
Election Context
The cancellation of an election in El Paso County School District 8 is not an uncommon process within school boards across Colorado, particularly when there is an insufficient number of candidates. The framework for such decisions is outlined in state law, which serves to streamline the electoral process while ensuring that school boards remain functional with elected directors.
El Paso County School District 8 is part of the larger Fountain-Fort Carson School District, which serves students in the surrounding communities. The Board of Education plays a crucial role in establishing policies, overseeing financial obligations, and ensuring educational directives are met within the district. Having elected members from the community serves not only to represent local interests but also ensures accountability within the educational system.
The election, slated annually in November, serves as an opportunity for community members to have their voices heard regarding educational leadership. However, when there are not enough candidates, similar cancellations can often serve to create situations where continuity is maintained as opposed to risking a disrupted board due to an election with an insufficient candidate pool.
Moving forward, with Kimball and Martinez officially taking their roles on the Board of Education thanks to the cancellation, the district will maintain its leadership and continue to address its mission to provide quality education for its students. Their participation will not only impact current policies but also shape the future decisions made regarding educational improvements and community engagement.
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HERE Resources
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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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