Absentee Ballots Available for May Primary

Absentee ballots are now available in the registrar’s office in the Jasper County Courthouse for the May 20 primary and non-partisan elections.

The deadline to register to vote or to change an address is Monday, April 21.

The secretary of state purged more than 300 voters names from the lists, according to Chief Registrar Carole Norris, so anyone who has not voted in a while should check to see if he or she is registered.

Early voting begins at the Jasper County Courthouse on Monday, April 28, and will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Everyone is reminded that four precincts were closed to save the county money. Therefore, everyone will vote in either Monticello, Martin & Burney or Wyatt precincts. Those closed include Smithboro, Hillsboro, Shady Dale, and North Alcovy.

Anyone with any questions about the upcoming election should contact Mrs. Norris at 706-468-4908.

There are no locally contested races in the primary, but there are a number or region and statewide seats in which the party nominee will be determined.

Contested races on the Republican ballot include those for U.S. Senate, governor, state school superintendent, public service commissioner, 10th District U.S. Representative.

Contested races on the Democratic ballot include those for U.S. Senate, Secretary of State, Commissioner of Insurance, and state school superintendent. In addition, the Democratic party has four non-binding questions on the ballot.

The non-partisan ballot includes several uncontested judgeship races, and a question considering extending the Education Local Option Sales Tax.