All Eugene Westerhouse wanted was for someone to run for his job. Instead, the Eudora Township trustee is facing another term.

Even though write-in votes will not be counted until the county certifies election results during canvassing, Westerhouse expected to receive several write-in votes.

One reason for the lack of interest in township positions is the lack of pay that accompanies them, Westerhouse said last week. “It’s a volunteer job — it’s time-consuming,” said Westerhouse, who is retired.

As trustee, Westerhouse mainly oversees financial transactions for the township and its roads.

“It’s a thankless job at times,” said Glen Grosdidier, township treasurer. Grosdidier was the only candidate running for that position. “But other times there’s the satisfaction of doing a service for the people living in the township.”

It’s not unusual for small townships to lack candidates, said Douglas County Clerk Patty Jaimes. But it’s been at least 15 years since there was no name on the ballot for Eudora Township, she said.

Westerhouse said the county could step in if no one volunteered for the position. But he didn’t like that idea and said it wasn’t likely.

“I don’t want the county to take it over and have it a county-maintained township,” he said.

Even last week, Westerhouse was resigned to four more years. “I thought at my age I’d get out and let someone else do it,” he said, “but there are no takers.”

Overview Unofficial election results Douglas County precinct map Election Day 2004 feedback Kids Voting ResultsCounty Democrat unseats D.A. of 8 years Former mayor defeats Buhler in Senate race Embattled district judge stays on bench McElhaney survives short-lived deficit Record number of voters cast their ballots in county Douglas County kids choose Kerry Politicians, supporters share ‘crazy’ election-night revelry Voters approve Perry-Lecompton bond issue Township lacks candidatesState Moore fends off another challenge Ryun wins contentious 2nd District Congress seat Brownback easily defends his U.S. Senate seat Holland inches past GOP challenge Pine takes 3rd District Senate seat Wagnon wins State Board of Education race Seven incumbents lose; GOP pads majority in House Voters deny sales tax for K.C. arena Bush wins Kansas handily Kansans show they’re satisfied with Bush Counties see high voter turnout Election briefsNational Too close to call President ‘upbeat’ on election returns Kerry sentimental as race nears end Analysis: Emotions guided presidential voting Networks use care in reporting results New media throw caution to the wind Presidential race prompts late selloff State by state results: Midwest State by state results: West State by state results: Northeast State by state results: South California backs stem-cell research Voters in 11 states approve gay-marriage bans GOP wins key states in South World riveted by U.S. electionMultimedia Photo Gallery: Election Day 2004 6News video: Dennis Moore wins in a ‘landslide’ 6News video: Dennis Moore victory speech 6News video: Bob Johnson wins 2nd District County Commission position 6News video: Paula Gilchrist presumed Douglas County Treasurer 6News video: Ken McGovern wins sheriff’s office 6News video: Jere McElhaney on the 3rd District Commissioner seat 6News video: Penrod optimistic about Douglas County Clerk position 6News video: Ermeling hopeful in 3rd District Commissioner race 6News video: Francisco likely to win 2nd District Barbara Ballard talks about younger voters and their importance in this election. Barbara Ballard talks about being in Lawrence and Kansas on election night. Paul Davis talks about the importance of this election to the Kansas Democrats. Paul Davis chooses his most important race in Kansas. Paul Davis talks about the feeling among other Democrats in Kansas. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius addresses the crowd at Abe ‘N Jakes Landing.