Voters will see more levies, ballot issues than contested local races on Nov. 4 ballot
By LeAnne Kavanagh
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 10:57 AM MDT
Even though absentee voting in the upcoming general election may set a state record, there are still plenty of Glacier County voters who will be going to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4. For the first time in many years, Glacier County voters will have the opportunity to cast their vote on more ballot issues than contested local races.
In the only contested county race, Democrat Tony Sitzmann is challenging Independent Bill Powell for the seat of District II Glacier County Commissioner, which is currently held by John Ray. The county commissioner position is a six-year term and Ray, who is completing his first term, chose not to seek re-election.
Incumbent Democrat Diane Anderson is unopposed in her bid for another four-year term as the Clerk of District Court.
There aren't any contested state senate or state representative races affecting Glacier County voters. Incumbents Llew Jones, a Republican, and Shannon Augare, a Democrat, are unopposed in their bid for another term as state representative. Jones is the state representative for District 17, while Augare represents District 16.
Two precincts in Glacier County, Precinct 8 and 15, will see the name of newcomer Frosty Calf Boss Ribs on their ballot. He is seeking the seat for District 15.
All county precincts, except 12, will be asked to approve or reject a special assessment by the Glacier County Conservation District. The measure asks voters for an added $22,775 per year, or another 1.95 mills, "for the purpose of funding continued administration and payroll expenses" of the district.
The added mills will cost the owner of a home with a market value of $100,000 an additional $5.86 per year.
Cut Bank voters are being asked to approve the formation of a Park Maintenance District and an annual $50,000 levy, which will be used to make capital improvements to the city park system, civic center and swimming pool.
All Glacier County voters will have the chance to vote in the following federal and state races:
President and Vice President: John McCain and Sarah Palin, Republican; Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez, Independent: Barack Obama and Joe Biden, Democrat; Ron Paul and Michael Peroutka, Constitution; and Bob Barr and Wayne Allen Root, Libertarian.
United States Senator: Incumbent Max Baucus, Democrat; Bob Kelleher, Republican.
United States Representative: Incumbent Denny Rehberg, Republican; John Driscoll, Democrat; and Mike Fellows, Libertarian.
Governor and Lt. Governor: Incumbents Brian Schweitzer and John Bohlinger, Democrats; Roy Brown and Steve Daines, Republicans; Stan Jones and Michael Baker, Libertarians.
Secretary of State: Incumbent Brad Johnson, Republican; Linda McCulloch, Democrat; Sieglinde Sharbono, Constitution.
Attorney General: Steve Bullock, Democrat; Tim Fox, Republican.
State Auditor: Duane Grimes, Republican; Monica J. Lindeen, Democrat.
Supreme Court Chief Justice: Mike McGrath, Ron Waterman; both nominated without party designation.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction: Elaine Sollie Herman, Republican; Denise Juneau, Democrat; Donald J. Eisenmenger, Libertarian.
Supreme Court Justice #3: Voters will be asked whether or not to retain Patricia Cotter for anther term.
Legislative Referendum No. 118: Voters will be asked to approve or reject imposing a levy of six mills for the Montana university system.
Constitutional Initiative No. 155: Voters will be asked to approve or reject expanding CHIP and Medicaid eligibility for uninsured children, coordinating children's health coverage and encouraging enrollment of eligible children.
Constitutional Amendment No. 44: Voters will be asked to approve or reject an act allowing up to 25 percent of all public funds presently restricted to fixed income investments to be invested in private corporate capital stock.
Glacier County Clerk and Recorder Glenda Hall reminds voters if they are voting for a write-in candidate, they must write-in the name the candidate on the ballot and then color in the oval next to their name for their vote to count.
Absentee ballots are now available at the Glacier County Clerk and Recorder's Office at the Glacier County Courthouse. A request form may be completed at the Glacier County Clerk and Recorder's office, or, you can simply write a request for a ballot. Address your request to Clerk and Recorder, 512 West Main, Cut Bank, Montana 59427.
Indicate your name, birth date, current residence address, current mailing address and the address to which you want the ballot mailed, if different from your mailing address.
Requests must be in writing and you must sign the request. The signature will be checked against the signature on your voter registration card before the ballot is issued.
Hall said you may have someone pick up your ballot for you, but you must indicate that designation when requesting an absentee ballot. Otherwise, the ballot will be mailed to the voter.
Absentee ballots can be requested and issued up to the day before the election, except for noon to 5 p.m. the day prior to the election, and all voted ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
For more information, contact Hall at 873-3609.
For your convenience, a sample ballot and a listing of the polling places and their hours appear in this week's issue.
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