An election for everyone

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News

March 29, 2011 - 12:00 AM

Many Allen Countians apparently don’t realize that there’s something on the April 5 ballot for everyone.
“We’ve had quite a few people say they aren’t going to vote because the election is just about city elections,” said Allen County Clerk Sherrie Riebel, also the county election officer. “Every registered voter in the county has at least three races to help decide.”
Three Allen County Community College trustees will be selected throughout the county. There are just three candidates, all incumbents: Spencer Ambler, Jim Talkington and Larry Manes. But, that portion of the ballot has space for write-ins, as do all other races.
All in the county also will help pick the first board of directors for the Southwind Extension District, formed when Extension Services in Allen and Neosho counties merged. Two will be elected in Allen County, with candidates being Shawn Geffert and Wesley Stone.
“And with the at-large position on boards of education being open this year, everyone will have that race on their ballots,” Riebel said.
While the historic election in Iola for the first-ever city council promises to encourage participation advance voting has been far from brisk. Seventeen people are seeking eight council seats and three are candidates for mayor.
Advanced voting opened on March 16 and through Monday afternoon 174 people have voted. All told, 329 ballots had been taken from the clerk’s office or voted there. The total includes 185 in the permanent advance voting file that were mailed.
Voters may exercise their franchise in the clerk’s office until noon Monday or request a ballot to vote at home up until then. The last day to request a ballot by mail is Friday, “so we can be sure that it will be delivered before Election Day,” Riebel said.
Ballots taken from the office must be returned by 7 p.m. April 5, when polls close. Polls will open that morning at 7 o’clock.

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