Candidates, liquor question on county ballot
More Marion County voters are making their way to the polls this year than in previous years.
Carol Maggard, Marion County clerk, reported 8,967 registered voters when voter registration was reopened following the primary election in August.
Residents could register to vote from Aug. 2 until 9 p.m. Oct. 18.
"During that time, there were 240 people who were brand new voters," Maggard said.
She also noted there were numerous registered voters who re-registered due to name and address changes.
"It was pretty unusual to have people registering all evening (Oct. 18)," Maggard said.
The advanced ballot has been available since Oct. 13 for those unable to vote in the Nov. 2 election or who choose to vote early as a matter of convenience.
Questions
Not only will voters help decide the next president of the United States, but other important issues affecting individual cities and the county will be determined Tuesday.
Voters countywide will decide if liquor-by-the-drink will be allowed in a restaurant where at least 30 percent of gross receipts are from food sales.
If adopted, governing bodies in each city would have the option of adopting an ordinance to allow consumption of alcohol without a private club membership within their city limits.
Voters within Marion County Hospital District #1 will be asked to vote yes or no in expanding the board of directors from five to seven members.
On Oct. 1, the hospital district assumed management responsibilities of St. Luke Hospital and Living Center.
A petition to increase the board of directors from five to seven was filed with the county.
Florence voters will be asked to consider the adoption of a one percent city sales tax.
The funds from the additional tax have not been designated, other than to the city's general fund.
Candidates
On the ballot, presidential and vice presidential candidates are listed by their last names and party affiliations.
They are Kerry and Edwards, Democrat; Nader and Camejo, Reform; Peroutka and Clymer, Independent Nominations; and Bush and Cheney, Republican.
For U.S. Senator, there are Lee Jones, Lenexa, Democrat; Steven A. Rosile, Wichita, Libertarian, Samuel D. Brownback, Topeka, Republican; and George Cook, Mission, Reform.
U.S. Representative, 1st District: Jerry Moran, Hays, Republican; Jack Warner, Wright, Libertarian.
State Senator, 17th District: Jim Barnett, Emporia, Republican; Sharon Karr, Emporia, Democrat.
State Senator, 35th District: Jay Emler, Lindsborg, Republican; Chris Snyder, Lyons, Democrat.
State Representative, 70th District: Donald L. Dahl, Hillsboro, Republican.
Unopposed county candidates are commissioner second district Dan Holub, Marion, Republican; commissioner third district Randy Dallke, Peaobdy, Republican, clerk Carol A. Maggard, Marion, Republican; treasurer Jeannine Bateman, Marion, Republican; register of deeds Faye A. Makovec, Marion, Republican; attorney Susan C. Robson, Marion, Republican; and sheriff Lee M. Becker, Lincolnville, Republican.
Voters vote yes or no in deciding if state judicial and local judicial incumbent positions are retained by the same individual.
Candidates are Carol A. Beier, Wichita, Position No. 1, Kansas Supreme Court; Lawton R. Nuss, Salina, Position No. 3, Kansas Supreme Court; Robert L. Gernon, Lawrence, Position No. 4, Kansas Supreme Court; Marla J. Luckert, Topeka, Position No. 5, Kansas Supreme Court; Joseph G. Pierron Jr., Lawrence, Position No. 3, Kansas Court of Appeals; Christel E. Marquardt, Topeka, Position No. 5, Kansas Court of Appeals; Richard D. Greene, Wichita, Position No. 10, Kansas Court of Appeals.
For local judicial retention is incumbent Michael F. Powers, Marion, District Court Judge, Eighth District, Division 3.
Township and improvement district offices also will be elected.
Write-ins are allowed for every position.
Polling places
Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Marion voters who reside on the south side of Main Street will vote at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 320 S. Cedar. Voters who reside on the north side of Main Street will vote at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 229 N. Walnut.
Marion County Lake residents will vote at Marion County Lake hall, Marion Reservoir residents will vote at Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Hillsboro first ward will vote at Hillsboro City Building, and second ward at Wohlgemuth Music Center, Tabor College.
Both Florence first and second districts will vote at Florentine Senior Center, Florence.
Both Peabody city and township east and west will vote at Peabody Senior Center.
Townships will vote at various locations within the township. For locations of specific townships, contact the county clerk's office at (620) 382-2185.
