The final vote count for Peoria County secures Martha Ross' next five-year term as a Peoria Public Schools board member representing District 1.
Ross defeated challenger Keisha Alexander by a margin of 52% to 48%.
With a voter turnout of just 10.8%, Ross won by 31 votes.
Election results were certified Tuesday by the Peoria County Election Commission.
Alexander declined to concede immediately following the April 4 election, citing the close margin and the outstanding mail-in and provisional ballots yet to be counted. She could still seek a recount, however.
Ross' petitions were challenged by Alexander's daughter and campaign manager, Chama St. Louis, amid allegations multiple dead peoples' signatures were on Ross' petitions. The Peoria County Election Commission declined to entertain that challenge because St. Louis didn't live in the district.
Alexander's petitions also were challenged by Ross. She was removed from the ballot after 139 petition signatures were struck, leaving her just short of the required total. But she was later restored to the ballot by a Peoria County judge.
Ross has served on the board since 2001. She currently serves as the school board's president.
