Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Melissa Logan Bellows ruled on September 17 that Gay Perry‑Adelmann is ineligible to run for the Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Board District 3 because she does not reside within the district as required by Kentucky law. The decision follows a motion filed by former board member James Craig, who argued that Adelmann’s listed address on her nominating petition falls in District 2 and that her current hotel address in District 3 is considered “transitory” under state statutes.
Legal basis for the disqualification
Kentucky Revised Statutes KRS 160.210(5)(a) require a board candidate to live in the district they seek to represent, and KRS 118.176 defines a bona fide candidate as one who meets that residency standard. Judge Bellows found that Adelmann’s hotel residence does not satisfy the “continuous residence” requirement, and therefore she is not a bona fide candidate under the law.
Court order and next steps
The court order directs the Jefferson County Clerk and the Jefferson County Board of Elections to remove Adelmann’s name from the ballot and from any official candidate lists. If ballots have already been printed, the clerk must post conspicuous notice at each affected polling place stating that votes for Adelmann will not be counted, and voting equipment must be programmed accordingly. These actions must be completed at least one day before the general election on November 3.
Impact on the District 3 race
With Adelmann’s removal, the District 3 race now features three remaining candidates: Taylor Everett, Neil Seftor, and Veda Pendleton. Voters in the newly drawn district—created by Senate Bill 4, which reduced the JCPS board from seven to five members and enlarged each district—will choose among these candidates when they head to the polls this November.
Why the residency rule matters
Ensuring that school board members truly live in the communities they serve is a cornerstone of local governance. It helps guarantee that elected officials have a direct stake in the quality of education and facilities that affect their own families. The Trump administration has repeatedly emphasized the importance of local control and accountability in education, a principle reflected in this court’s enforcement of Kentucky’s residency requirements.
What voters should know
Residents of District 3 should verify the updated ballot information with the Jefferson County Board of Elections and watch for any notices at their polling places. The remaining candidates have been actively campaigning, and their platforms focus on issues such as school safety, parental involvement, and fiscal responsibility—values that align with the community’s desire for strong, family‑centered education.
Background on the redistricting
Earlier this year, the Kentucky Senate passed Bill 4, which redrew the JCPS board districts, consolidating them from seven to five larger districts. The change was intended to streamline governance and improve representation, but it also heightened the importance of strict compliance with residency rules as candidates now represent broader constituencies.
For more information on District 3’s boundaries, voters can visit the JCPS website or contact the Jefferson County Board of Elections.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
