Veteran Pingree Grove trustee runs as a write in

Richard Stramaglia, the lone person removed from the Pingree Grove ballot last month, has resurfaced, this time as a write-in candidate.

The retired tool and die maker, a village trustee since the early 1990s, says running as a write-in was the only way he could continue his political career, since appealing the village's electoral board decision would have proven too costly.

"I wasn't expecting to be removed and this was my only option," said Stramaglia, who is seeking one of three, four-year trustee slots.

Stramaglia lost his top spot on the April 7 ballot when the electoral board threw out nine out of the 25 signatures on his nominating petitions, ruling that six people had signed other candidate's petitions and three others had not completely filled out pertinent information.

The decision left him one shy of the 17 he needed to run for office.

Stramaglia believes the panel made the wrong decision, and has put himself back in the running for the seat. Also running are incumbents Greg Marston and Ricky Popilek, newcomer Joshua Cossiboon and former village president candidate Patrick Whalen.

But Stramaglia faces an uphill battle as a write-in candidate, election officials warned. Although name recognition and a low voter turnout could play in his favor, running as a write in is an "extremely difficult way to win an election," said Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham.

Among the obstacles, Cunningham said, is getting voters to take an extra step like typing in the person's name in the voting booth.

"It's not the easiest thing, strategically and mechanically," he said. "When someone's on the ballot, it's easier to vote for them."

It doesn't appear history is on Stramaglia's side. The last time a write-in candidate won a contested race was 20 years ago, said Deputy Clerk Jay Bennett.

Stramaglia, already passing out business cards so people spell his name correctly in the voter's booth, acknowledges he faces a tough battle.

But he hopes his record, and willingness to question things, are enough for voters to keep him on the board.

"If I can get around to people and let them know my position, and if they feel they would want somebody of my caliber, hopefully they'll go that extra mile and write me in," he said.