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More than 40,000 Peoria voters headed to the polls Nov. 4 to decide on bonds, a recall and school board members.

In the Peoria Unified School District two candidates were on the ballot for the three board seats — Joe McCord and Diane Douglas.

Ms. Douglas kept her slot on the board with the most number of votes, 54 percent, or 31,379.

Some Glendale, Youngtown and Sun City residents also took part in the PUSD election.

Mr. McCord garnered 45.06 percent, or 25,737 votes.

The final seat will be filled by one of three write in candidates — Hal Borhauer, Pam Pickard or Galen Waterson.

According to Hope Olguin, elections specialist with the Maricopa County Superintendent’s office, the write-in with the most votes will take the seat.

It was originally reported by Ms. Olguin that the write-ins had to attain at least 400 nodes to be considered valid for the position, and if no one achieved the goal, the seat would be filled by appointment.

"We consulted our attorney and found that this was not the case. It will go to whoever has the most write-ins," Ms. Olguin said. "That makes things a little easier."

She said she does not expect official write-in results for two weeks after election day.

Mr. McCord was pleased with his win, but said the election season was strange because he did not have to campaign.

"People voted for me on faith and now I have to justify their votes," Mr. McCord said. "I will consult with as many people as I can before making decisions and will try to make decisions that make sense to the community and to me."

The Deer Valley Unified School District, which service the Terramar and West Wing communities in North Peoria, also flocked to the polls to elect new board members.

Rep. Tom Boone (R-Peoria) and Ron Bayer retained their seats, while newcomer Ann Ordway ousted incumbent Michael Gregoire.

DVUSD voters also approved a $148 million bond with 65 percent of the vote.

Voters in Peoria’s Acacia District, or downtown area, had to decide whether to replace recalled Councilwoman Vicki Hunt with businesswoman Gracie Vasquez, or allow the vice mayor to keep her seat.

Ms. Hunt won the race with 51 percent of the votes, or 1,613. The race was close, as Ms. Vasquez pulled in 1,543.

"I’m happy to be serving the Acacia residents for the rest of my elected two-year term," Ms. Hunt said. "I have begun many projects over the past six years, and will enjoy working to see them coming to fruition."

Mesquite City Councilwoman Cathy Carlat was pleased with residents’ decision to keep her peer.

"Supporting the incumbent, Vicki Hunt in the Acacia District is an endorsement to move forward with core revitalization and forward thinking representation of the city as a whole," Ms. Carlat said.

Voters citywide overwhelmingly approved $378 million in bonds for Peoria. The three bond questions garnered 62-65 percent votes each.

"I always felt reasonably confident that it would pass, but I’m overwhelmed with the high percentage," said Peoria’s Mayor Bob Barret. "I take this as a vote of confidence that the voters realize that though economic times are difficult, this will not raise their tax rate. The city cannot stop moving forward."

Ms. Carlat agreed.