Tuesday, November 8 marks not just another workday, but the culmination of months of hard work and campaigning by countless candidates for public office. Americans will take to the polls next week to decide several important races, including that of the United States Presidency.
Stevens County voters in Hugoton will cast their ballots at Memorial Hall, 200 E. Sixth in Hugoton. Residents in Moscow will vote at the United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 300 Ransom in Moscow. The doors at both polling places will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you can’t make it to your polling place on the appointed day, advance walk-in votes may be cast at the office of Stevens County Election Clerk Pam Bensel in the courthouse until 12:00 noon November 7. Those wishing to vote must present a valid ID. Examples of accepted identification are available by clicking here.
Offices up for election include the US President with Democrat candidates Hillary Clinton and Tim Mike Kaine; Republican candidates Donald Trump and Mike Pence; Libertarian candidates Gary Johnson and Bill Weld and Independent candidates Jill Stein and Ajamu Baraka. For US State Senate, the nominees are Democrat Patrick Wiesner; Republican Jerry Moran and Libertarian Robert D Garrard. In the US House of Representatives, District 1, candidates include Republican Roger Marshall; Libertarian Kerry Burt and Independent Alan LaPolice.
State offices up for election include State Senate 39th District with candidates Democrat A. Zacheriah Worf and Republican John Doll, as well as State House, 124th Dist with Republican J. Stephen Alford being the only name on the ticket. District Court Judge 26th Dist Second Division includes Republican Clinton B. Peterson, while the only District Magistrate Judge 26th District Fifth Position candidate is Republican Paula J. Sosa.
County races include Republican Paul F. Kitzke for County Attorney, Republican Amy Jo Tharp for County Clerk, and Republican Zilpha “Betty” Rosel for Register of Deeds. Republican Vanessa Willis is running for County Treasurer, while Republican Ted E. Heaton is on the ballot for County Sheriff. Republican Pat Hall is up for re-election to the seat of County Commissioner, District 2 and Republican Tron Stegman is running for County Commissioner District 3. Township Treasurer Moscow 3 candidate is Republican Angie Lahey and Township Trustee Moscow 3 candidate is Republican Shirley Mothes.
Kansas Supreme Court justices up for retention include Carol A. Beier, Dan Biles, Lawton R. Nuss, Maria Luckert and Caleb Stegall. Appeals court judges up for retention are Steve Leben, G. Joseph Pierron Jr., David E. Bruns, G. Gordon Atcheson, Karen Arnold-Burger and Kathryn A. Gardner.
Questions on the November 8 ballot include the following:
Constitutional Amendment Question 1:
• “Shall the following be adopted? §21. Right of public to hunt, fish and trap wildlife. The people have the right to hunt fish and trap, including by the use of traditional methods, subject to reasonable laws and regulations that promote wildlife conservation and management and the that preserve the future of hunting and fishing. Public hunting and fishing shall be a preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife. This section shall not be construed to modify any provision of law relating to trespass, property rights or water resources.”
County Questions
• “Shall a County Wide 1% Retailer’s Sales Tax be assessed that is subject to an interlocal agreement with the City of Hugoton starting from July 1, 2017, all pursuant to the provisions of KSA 12-187 et seq. for the purpose of property tax relief?” Vote “Yes” to approve a 1¢ sales tax increase or “No” to deny a 1¢ sales tax increase.
• “Pursuant to KSA 12-1680 and KSA 79-5040, shall an additional tax of .5 mill, for a total levy of 1.5 mills, be levied in Stevens County against all taxable tangible property to fund service programs for the elderly?” Vote “Yes” to approve a half-mill increase for the Senior Center or “No” to deny a half-mill increase for the Senior Center.
