County: Gryder's Name Will Still Be On Ballot

Robert Gryder has dropped out of the race for Yorkville mayor, but his name is going to be on the ballot anyway.

Candidates needed to withdraw by Jan. 27 to have their name removed from the ballot, Rennetta Mickelson said. That deadline was necessary for the clerk’s office to meet other election-related deadlines that are mandated by law.

Gryder he was withdrawing from the race and would support Alderman Gary Golinski (Ward 2) against incumbent Mayor Valerie Burd. about 2.5 weeks after the county clerk’s deadline and just days before the clerk staff planned to mail military ballots Friday.

“It’s unfortunate for the other candidates, but I think with the area being as relatively small as it is, they’re going to have to get their supporters out,” Mickelson said.

The clerk’s office received a courtesy call from someone at Yorkville City Hall notifying them of Gryder’s announcement, but as of Wednesday night the clerk’s staff had received no formal notice from Gryder himself, Mickelson said.

Gryder said word of his decision "spread like wildfire" before the announcement hit the local media, but he'd be interested to see how many votes he receives.

“I got out of the race with the intention of giving my votes to (Golinski) so I do hope people are aware that I’m not campaigning," Gryder said.

Election Day is April 5, but there are a few ways residents can cast or request ballots before then:

People can update their voter registration at the County Clerk’s Registration office, 111 W. Fox Road, Room 103, during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday), according to the clerk’s website. Those people need to vote at the clerk’s office but may do so before Election Day. The grace period is March 9 through March 29; after that, you won’t be able to register until April 7.

Registered voters with government-issued photo identification can vote during specific hours between March 14 and March 31 at the county clerk’s office. Separate early voting hours are available between March 21 and March 31 at Oswego Village Hall, according to the clerk’s website. More information is available by going to this website and clicking on “Voting in Kendall County.”

The county clerk must receive absentee voting applications by March 31. Call 630-553-4104 or 630-553-4105 to request an application be mailed to you. An application form also is available on the clerk’s website.

Editor's note: This article was updated about 11:30 a.m. with comments from Gryder.