~courtesy of The Scranton Journal
t’s election time! Voters in Greene County and around the state will go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 8. The polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm.
Public Measure C on the ballot asks voters to authorize a loan agreement and issue General Obligation Capital Loan Notes in an amount not to exceed $12.685 million for the purpose of designing, constructing, equipping, furnishing and making land site improvements for a new Greene County Jail. At least 60 percent of the voters must cast a “yes” vote for the measure to pass.
There is only one local contest. In District 3 for the board of supervisors, Mike Holden, Democrat, and Dan Benitz, Republican, are asking for votes to replace Tom Contner who did not seek re-election. Read their candidate interviews elsewhere on GCNO.
Other local races are Dawn Rudolph, supervisor District 2; Katlynn Mechaelsen, county treasurer; Deb McDonald, county recorder, and Thomas Laehn, county attorney.
There are five candidates for five seats on the Greene County Medical Center board of trustees: Douglas Carman, James Schleisman, Bill Raney, Angela Jewett and Katherine Neese.
There are two candidates for two spots on the Soil and Water Conservation District commissioners: Bill Frederick and Andy Krieger.
The County Agriculture Extension Council has five candidates for five positions: Jeff Lamoureux, Tracy Deal, Bruce Bahnson, Pam Olerich and Keith Pedersen. There are also some township clerks and trustees on their respective ballots.
The state is voting on the governor / lieutenant governor office: Deidre DeJear / Eric Van Lancker, Democrats; Kim Reynolds / Adam Gregg, Republican, and Rick Stewart / Marco Battaglia, Libertarian. The Secretary of State race is between Joel Miller (D) and Paul D Pate (R).
Auditor of State candidates are Rob Sand (D) and Todd Halbur (R). Treasurer of State candidates are Michael L Fitzgerald (D) and Roby Smith (R). Secretary of Agriculture candidates are John Norwood (D) and Mike Naig (R).
Attorney General candidates are Tom Miller (D) and Brenna Bird (R). Bird is the current Guthrie County Attorney.
Long time U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R) is challenged by Michael Franken (D). Incumbent U.S. Representative Cindy Axne (D) is squared off against Zach Nunn (R).
For State Representative in District 47, the candidates are Gary Clayton Overla (D) and Carter Nordman (R). There are also eight judges on the ballot for retention.
There is also an amendment to the Iowa Constitution on the ballot. The summary states: provides that the right of the people of Iowa to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The sovereign state of Iowa affirms and recognizes the right to keep and bear arms as a fundamental right. Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.
The polling places open on Tuesday are:
Central – Clover Hall, Fairgrounds, 601 E. Lincoln Way St., Jefferson
East – St. Brigid Parish Center, 602 Hager Street East, Grand Junction
Jefferson 1 – Greene County Community Center, 204 W. Harrison St.,
Jefferson 2 – Greene County Community Center, 204 W. Harrison St,
North – Community Center, 410 Sand St, Churdan
West – Community Room/City Hall, 900 Eagle St, Scranton
Voters are reminded of the voter registration laws.
Pre-registered voters are required to provide an approved form of identification at the polling place before receiving and casting a regular ballot. Voters who are not pre-registered – such as voters registering to vote on Election Day – and voters changing precincts must also provide proof of residence.
Persons who need additional information about voter registration, visit: https://sos.iowa.gov/voterid or telephone the Greene County auditor’s office at 515-386-5680.
Any voter physically unable to enter a polling place has the right to vote in the voter’s vehicle.
Voters may cast their ballots early at the auditor’s office during regular business hours Monday – Friday. The office will also be open Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 am to 5 pm for early voting.
Absentee ballots have been mailed to those residents who requested them. Election officials remind everyone they must be returned to the auditor’s office by 8 pm on Nov. 8 to be counted.
Persons who have questions about the election can contact the auditor’s office.
