DeKalb is left with a two-person mayoral race and no competition for a lone 6th Ward alderman candidate.

About 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Municipal Official Electoral Board voted unanimously to remove Andrew Anderson and Luke Coyne from the April ballot.

Coyne was running for the 6th Ward city council seat when Copy Service owner David Baker, his opponent, filed objections to Coyne’s nominating papers Jan. 29. Baker asserted that Coyne circulated and notarized his nominating papers with the wrong address on them Jan. 16.

“I’m very pleased with the decision of the panel,” Baker said. “This was not a technicality. These points were clearly the law. I’m happy that they unanimously decided to uphold the law.”

Coyne signed his lease for 1001 W. Lincoln Highway Apt. 5 in the 6th Ward and notarized his papers Jan. 16, but still was considered a resident on 934 Spiros Court in the 7th Ward when circulating his petitions.

“I figured it could go either way, but I was surprised,” Coyne said. “If I had filed my papers three days later, we would not have a problem. An appeal will definitely be made.”

With Coyne removed, Baker will be the only candidate for the 6th Ward, but if Coyne decides to appeal, Baker may have to campaign as if Coyne were still on the ballot up until a week before the election.

“If he wants to appeal, it’s his prerogative,” Baker said. “He’s got $6,000 in pledges, so he’s got the money to spend. It’s going to be a campaign of issues.”

Mayor Bessie Chronopoulos, who chaired the board in Coyne’s hearing, agreed that Coyne’s problem was a matter of timing and said the petitions were a confusing issue.

“We wonder why people don’t get involved,” she said. “If it’s this complicated, why would they want to?”

The board also voted unanimously in favor of former 7th Ward Ald. Ken Gregory and DeKalb resident Kay Menzel, who last month raised objections over Anderson’s nominating petitions for mayor.

The pair, who will manage Chronopoulos’ re-election campaign, claimed Anderson had failed to sign and notarize his petitions, something Anderson considered an “oversight.”

City clerk Donna S. Johnson considered the gravity of such an error in city government.

“There’s not a lot of room for mistakes,” she said. “If I make a mistake, it could land us in circuit court.”

Before the objections were filed, Anderson told the Northern Star that he would drop out of the race because of “family stress.” On Tuesday, he considered appealing his removal.

According to the Local Election Officials Handbook, Coyne and Anderson have 10 days to file appeals with the circuit court. Hearings must be held within another 30 days.

“If worse comes to worse, [Baker] will find himself faced with the biggest write-in campaign he’s ever seen,” Coyne said.