Opinion: What you need to know when voting for the Colonial School Board

If the election for five seats on the Colonial School Board concerns you, note that you can’t vote straight Democrat or Republican. You have to complete the full ballot and make specific choices. You get to vote for five of eight candidates.

It is also important to note, that school board elections can be confusing as to party allegiance. All of the candidates can cross-file for the primary. After the primary, candidates who are registered Democrats can appear on a ballot as a Republican. It is a really flawed system. So in the case of today’s election, here is how candidates will appear on the ballot and how they are really registered.

Susan Moore
On ballot as Democrat/Republican, but she is a registered Democrat.
Paula F. McCauley
On ballot as a Democrat, she is a registered Democrat.
Leslie Finegold
On ballot as a Democrat, she is a registered Democrat.
Cathy Peduzzi
On ballot as Democrat/Republican, but she is a registered Democrat.
Jamina Clay-Dingle
On ballot as a Democrat, she is a registered Democrat.
Beth Suchsland
On ballot as a Republican, but she is a registered Democrat.
Beth Patruno
On ballot as a Republican, but she is a registered Democrat.
Chris Epstein
On ballot as a Republican, she is a registered Republican.

If you want to elect the slate of candidates who did not seek the endorsement of either party, you need to vote for the below slate of candidates. Note to help guarantee they control the majority of the board, you need to vote for all five. Also, note that voting for this slate isn’t going to upset the balance of power between Democrats and Republicans. If this slate wins, registered Democrats will hold an 8-1 majority.

Susan Moore (incumbent)
Cathy Peduzzi (incumbent)
Beth Patruno
Beth Suchsland
Chris Epstein

If you want to keep the status quo, vote for the following:

Leslie Finegold (incumbent)
Paula McCauley
Jamina Clay-Dingle
and any other two

If you vote for Finegold, McCauley, and Clay-Dingle, it won’t matter who else you vote for because the donor-friendly party officials who run the Democratic Party in Montco will continue to control the majority.

Polls are open today from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.