Thornton Township electors are voting to fill a vacant seat. Here’s what to know.

At the request of at least fifteen people, Thornton Township electors are slated to fill a vacant and critical seat on the township’s board at a special meeting this week, Jan. 21.

The meeting, set at South Suburban College’s athletic field house, aims to fill the void from Gerald “Jerry” Jones’ resignation as a trustee in October 2024. According to state law, the township had a 60-day window to do so. 

Supervisor Tiffany Henyard tried — and failed — to make an appointment after an ongoing boycott from trustees Chris Gonzalez and Carmen Carlisle left the board without a quorum to conduct business, running down the lock. Now, in accordance with state law, electors are making an appointment. They will serve through May 2025.

Clerk Loretta Wells likely won’t be ordering the meeting. Instead, she’ll request nominations for a moderator, chosen by the electors, according to proposed conduct rules for the meeting. They’ll take an oath of office, then preside over the trustee nomination process. The appointee will be sworn in that evening, and a public comment period is expected.

Here’s what to expect and how to plan ahead should you attend.

When to arrive

Doors open at 5:00 P.M. “to begin the process of checking in eligible electors,” according to the notice. The meeting starts at 6:01 P.M.

Electors

Thornton Township electors must present proof of identification, proof of residency, and be a registered voter for at least 28 days prior to the special meeting. They have to have been a township resident for at least one year and be clear of any criminal convictions.

Voting process

Only electors can make nominations and votes.

They will be allowed to nominate an individual, and those motions will require a second from another elector. If an individual does not receive a second by another elector, that person will not be considered for the seat. 

At that point, the floor will be closed to additional nominations. Then, electors will vote vocally. If need be, there may be a written ballot. In that case, each candidate is allowed to have one representative to watch the ballot count.

Vocally or by ballot, electors are only allowed to vote for one candidate.

Police or security may be present to remove anyone who “disrupts or interferes with the misconduct of this meeting,” according to conduct rules posted on the Clerk’s website.