Correction: The Northern Star previously published that early voting would take place at the Red Roof Inn starting Jan. 16. Voting at 110 E. Sycamore St. started on Jan. 16. Voting at the Red Roof Inn will begin Feb. 17.
DeKALB – After facing an election challenge, DeKalb mayoral candidate Linh Nguyen is using an alternate means to make it onto the ballot in April’s election.
Nguyen has triggered a primary election as the sole write-in candidate in the contest.
In order to be on April’s mayoral ballot, Nguyen needs 20 votes in the primary election.
Early voting for the primary election started at the Election Annex on Jan. 16 and will go until Feb. 24.
The official election day for the primary is Feb. 25.
Voting will take place at 110 E. Sycamore St. in Sycamore starting on Jan. 16 and starting on Feb. 17 at the Red Roof Inn’s Illinois Room, 1212 W. Lincoln Highway.
According to DeKalb County Clerk Tasha Sims, write-in votes are valid if the oval next to the name has been filled in and the name written in by the voter is on the list of write-in candidate names that judges receive. It is okay if names aren’t spelled 100% correct.
For the primary, Nguyen is registered as Linh Nguyen.
“Running as a write-in candidate is a difficult path,” Nguyen said. “But it allows me to keep my message, keep my commitment to voters.”
If she receives the 20 votes needed, Nguyen will appear at the top of the ballot in the consolidated election as the only Democratic candidate. All other candidates are registered as independent.
Election judges hand count votes on election night and decide if there was intent to write the name of an individual who is registered as a write-in candidate.
Early voting and vote by mail for the April election will now begin on Friday, March 7.
Nguyen has a court date at 9 a.m. Jan. 30 at the DeKalb County Courthouse related to the challenge made to her candidacy last year.
Nguyen was removed from the ballot after an electoral board ruled that she filed to be a candidate in the incorrect period.
Nguyen subsequently filed for a judicial review which will be heard in court.
“I just want a chance to run for office to bring a fresh perspective to the city,” Nguyen said. “I’m running into all sorts of roadblocks. I feel like this is not my fight. This is a fight for inclusivity.”