Write-in votes leader could be named trustee

Whomever receives the most write-in votes in the April 2 general election for Village of Belgium trustee will be offered the position.

The village has two candidates running for three seats. Incumbents Sarah Heisler and Chris Plier are running, but incumbent Don Gotcher filed noncandidacy papers.

Nobody else filed papers to run.

Village Clerk Julie Lesar said state law dictates that the person who receives the most write-in votes will have the chance to join the Village Board or decline the offer.

That person does not have to be a registered write-in candidate. The deadline to file to be a registered write-in candidate is 5 p.m. Friday, March 29.

“Because it’s a vacant spot, we do have to look at every ballot and count every write-in,” Lesar said.