So, given the way the seats on the board of ed are &quot;pre-allocated&quot; to the R&#039;s and D&#039;s, does the R endorsement give the independent candidate the R seat (even if D candidates win more votes), or does the I candidate, have to get more votes than the D candidates to get a seat? 

Please understand that I&#039;m not commenting on the merits of this -- or any! -- candidate, but on the system we&#039;re operating in, which seems to reserve seats for parties, even when that flies in the face of the will of the voters based on the campaigns the candidates wage.