The system worked

Johnson County residents will be voting after all to fill deceased County Supervisor Larry Meyers' vacant seat. Petitioners gathered 7,810 valid signatures requesting the special election, which will be Jan. 19. The winner will serve through the end of 2010.

Too bad officials didn't call for the election in the first place. Instead, County Auditor Tom Slockett, Recorder Kim Painter and Treasurer Tom Kriz decided to appoint a supervisor, they said, because of how much a special election would cost taxpayers: $75,000. State law allows such a move.

But in this case, it was the wrong decision. With Slockett and Painter having already voiced support for Janelle Rettig, who had declared her intentions to run for the board in 2010, a special election was a better way to go. It would have helped selectors avoid the appearance of cronyism - no matter how unfounded.

We appreciate the elected officials' concern for fiscal responsibility, but this election is a clear case of money justifiably spent. Rettig is well qualified for the job. However, state law safeguards voters' right to petition for an election in situations like this.

So, the system worked exactly the way it was supposed to.

Now Democrats and Republicans will nominate their candidates in special conventions. Other interested candidates must collect signatures and file petitions by Dec. 28.

Then voters will have the say they should have gotten much sooner.