“The Justice Department has sent a letter to the Beaumont ISD indicating the government won’t pre-clear the May 11 elections, in which the 9th Court of Appeals ruling all seven seats are up for a vote and three incumbents who didn’t file could not be on the ballot, according to information provided by Michael Getz. Getz says the Justice Department believes the election would dilute minority voting strength. The board is scheduled to hold a special meeting Tuesday. It could amend the election order and place seats held by incumbents Janice Brassard, Tom Neild and Gwen Ambres on the ballot. Getz and several other attorneys represent three challengers who filed for seats on the board, as well as incumbent Mike Neil. The 9th Court ruled the challengers would run unopposed because three incumbents, board president Woodrow Reece, and trustees Terry Williams and Zenobia Bush, hadn’t filed for the election. The incumbents said they were under the impression their terms wouldn’t expire in May.”
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