County Board seats, bond issue highlight local election

Daily Sun staff

With primary races for two Gage County Board of Supervisors seats and a $2.8 million bond issue for courthouse renovations to be decided, Gage County voters will join others across the state in going to the polls on Tuesday.

“It’s been really quiet this election,” Gage County Clerk Dawn Hill said. “I don’t know if it’s because everyone has made up their mind already.”

Hill said it was hard to estimate expected voter turnout in Gage County, but she said it could fall in the 30-35 percent range. Statewide, Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale predicted a 27 percent voter turnout.

Gale cited several factors in his forecast for a low turnout:

n The Nebraska presidential primaries do not affect delegate selection to the Republican and Democratic national conventions.

n There aren’t many high visibility races throughout the state.

n There is only a limited slate of county offices on the ballot.

“The turnout for the primary election will not be a reflection of voter interest in the November general election, when we will be electing the president among other offices,” Gale said. “I believe there will be intense interest in the general election, with very high turnout.”

Turnout in recent Nebraska primary elections has varied considerably. The 2006 primary election drew 35 percent of registered voters, compared with 21 percent for 2004.

Current voter registration in the state stands at 1,117,491. Registration breakdown by political affiliation is: Republican Party, 550,581; Democratic Party, 372,864; nonpartisan, 184,437; Nebraska Party, 8,814; and Green Party, 795.

In Gage County, the only countywide issue on Tuesday’s ballot will be a $2.8 million bond issue for renovations to the courthouse. Among the renovations planned are a new roof, new heating and cooling system, new electrical and fire alarm system, new windows and foundation repair.

Parts of the county will also be deciding two County Board primary races.

In District 2, incumbent Harlan Hagemeier will be facing Matt Bauman and Lawrence Penner in the Republican primary, while in District 4, incumbent Allen Grell will be facing Dennis Byars in another Republican primary.

District 2 consists of Clatonia, Holt, Grant and Blakely townships and the north half of Lincoln Township, as well as the 3rd Ward, 3rd Precinct in Beatrice. District 4 lies entirely within Beatrice, and consists of the 2nd Ward, 1st, 2nd and 3rd precincts.

Because no Democratic candidate filed for either race, the winner of Tuesday’s primary will run unopposed in the November general election if no write-in candidates emerge.

Voters in the Freeman School District will also have a primary to reduce the number of Freeman school board candidates from seven to six for the November general election. There will be three seats up for election in November.

Candidates running are Steven C. Finkner, Adams; Douglas Page, Adams; April Behrens, Adams; Leon D. Dorn, Firth; Gwyn Bud Wingate, Adams; Charlotte Evans, Adams; and Anthony Meints, Cortland.

Barneston Township voters, meanwhile, will be deciding on a measure to increase the township’s property tax levy by 0.119092 per $100 of assessed valuation.

Polls will be open for Tuesday’s election from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Persons can still vote early by picking up ballots by 5 p.m. Monday, but all early ballots, whether returned by mail or in person, must arrive at the clerk’s office by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Hill said.

Hill also said person may check their polling site by calling the clerk’s office at 223-1300 or by visiting the Web site https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne/gov.

This will also be the first election with the new polling locations Hill established earlier.

The following are polling sites for Tuesday’s election:

n Adams, Adams Community Hall

n Barneston/Liberty, Barneston Legion Hall

n Blakely, First Trinity Lutheran Preschool, 11668 W. State Highway 4, Beatrice

n Blue Springs I and II and Island Grove, Blue Springs Fireman’s Hall

n Clatonia, Clatonia Community Center

n Elm/Sicily, Odell Community Building

n Filley/Logan, Filley Community Building

n Glenwood/Paddock, Odell Community Building

n Grant/Holt, Pickrell Community Hall

n Hanover/Hooker/Nemaha, Adams Community Hall

n Highland, Cortland Community Center

n Lincoln/Riverside, 4-H Building at Gage County Fairgrounds (use south door)

n Midland, Christ Community Church, 2727 Lincoln St., Beatrice

n Rockford/Sherman, American Legion Club in Virginia

n Wymore Ward 1 and Ward 2, Wymore Community Center

n Beatrice 1st Ward, 1st Precinct, Parkview Conference Center, 1216 S. Ninth St. (use South Eighth Street entrance)

n Beatrice 1st Ward, 2nd and 3rd precincts, The Villa at Flowing Springs, 2211 Sunset Drive

n Beatrice 2nd Ward, 1st and 2nd precincts, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Parish Center, 612 High St.

n Beatrice 2nd Ward, 3rd Precinct, Christ Community Church, 2727 Lincoln St.

n Beatrice 3rd Ward, 1st Precinct, 4-H Building at Gage County Fairgrounds

n Beatrice 3rd Ward, 2nd and 3rd precincts, Beatrice Public Library, 100 N. 16th St.

n Beatrice 4th Ward, 1st and 2nd precincts, Beatrice Public Library, 100 N. 16th St.

n Beatrice 4th Ward, 3rd Precinct, Christ Community Church, 2727 Lincoln St.