Alva Review-Courier -

Freedom school district residents will have to wait a while to decide officially who will sit in seat number 2. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed an order March 7 to hold the special school election on Sept. 12.

Following the Feb. 14 election, District Judge Justin Eilers determined that the number of ineligible voters exceeded the margin of victory. A hearing was held in the Woods County Courthouse in Alva on Feb. 22 after one of the candidates, Shane Morris, filed a protest. Unofficial election returns showed his opponent, Raul Galindo, besting him by one vote.

The governor’s proclamation states, “The Special Freedom School District I-6 Election shall be held on September 12, 2017.

“The Secretary of the State Election Board and the Secretary of the Woods County election board are hereby directed to take all actions necessary to conduct this election. Copies of this Executive Proclamation shall be distributed accordingly.”

No filing period will be held as the same two candidates, Galindo and Morris, will be on the ballot.

Meanwhile, the Freedom Board of Education continues to meet. In a special meeting on March 2, the board approved the appointment of Shane Morris, who previously held the position, to fill seat 2. During the meeting, the board also reorganized officers with the same people holding them. They are Shane Morris, president; Donald Babcock, vice president; and Shan Wilson, clerk.