Woman's write-in effort falls short

Joan Vetter Ehrenberg’s late effort to earn a spot on the Whitefish School Board was over before it began.

Vetter Ehrenberg announced via email at 12:45 a.m. Sunday — two days before ballots were due — that she was entering the election as a write-in candidate.

However, write-in votes for Vetter Ehrenberg won’t be counted, Whitefish School District business director Danelle Reisch said Monday morning.

According to Reisch, Vetter Ehrenberg needed to file a declaration of intent as a write-in by April 9 because there already is a full slate of candidates on the ballot.

Write-in votes without a declaration of intent would only be counted if no one had filed for the positions, Reisch explained.

Three candidates are on the ballot for two three-year Whitefish trustee terms: board chairwoman Pat Jarvi, Marguerite Kaminski and Bob Auerbach.

Ballots are due to be returned by 8 p.m. Tuesday.