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Four of the Salem-Keizer school board s seven seats are up for election Tuesday west Salem s Zone 1, south-central Salem s Zone 3, east Salem s Zone 5 and north Salem s Zone 7.
Other educational institutions in the area have elections this spring as well, including the Chemeketa Community College Board of Education and Gervais, Silver Falls and Woodburn school districts.
It is too late to mail back ballots. Instead, drop them at any ballot location by 8 p.m. on election day.
Voters who have already returned their ballot can check its status on the Oregon Secretary of State s Office website at sos.oregon.gov. Click on the My Vote tracker. Marion County voters can track their ballot s progress by signing up on the county s website.
Zone 5 candidate
Jesse Lippold Peone s campaign account did not show any campaign finance filings when this story originally published but was updated shortly after. This story has been updated online to reflect those changes.
The Salem-Keizer Public Schools governing board is historically a nonpartisan entity. But candidates in the May 18 election are getting money from notably political sources.
Eleven candidates are running for four open board seats: West Salem s Zone 1, south-central Salem s Zone 3, east Salem s Zone 5 and north Salem s Zone 7.
While the elected leaders will represent specific zones, residents vote for candidates across the district.
Kari Zohner (Zone 1), Linda Farrington (Zone 3), Mike Slagle (Zone 5) and Liam Collins (Zone 7) have been endorsed by more politically conservative groups and political action committees, such as Protect Kids, Oregon Right to Life and Marion+Polk First.
Eleven candidates are running for the Salem-Keizer school board this spring.
Four of the board s seven seats are in the race Zone 1 in west Salem, currently represented by Kathy Goss; Zone 3 in south-central Salem, held by Sheronne Blasi; Zone 5 in east Salem, represented by Jesse Lippold Peone; and Zone 7 in north Salem, held by Paul Kyllo. Lippold Peone is the only incumbent running.
Election day is May 18; those elected will begin their positions on July 1.
School board member Marty Heyen of Zone 2 in northeast Salem, chairman Satya Chandragiri of Zone 4 in south Salem, and vice chairwoman Danielle Bethell of Zone 6 in Keizer were elected in 2019. Their terms will end in 2023.
Q: To an outsider, how would you describe the region you wish to represent geographically, economically, politically, and socially?
A: Zone 7 is a great location. This is a very economically and ethnically diverse zone where it is relatively easy to find a house or apartment to fit one s budget. We have several great local parks, as well as convenient shopping at both local businesses and national chains. We have a variety of places of worship. We are close to downtown Salem and I-5. I also appreciate the political diversity across the zone.
Q: Describe the positives and negatives of this region/zone that you wish to represent or address: