No local contests in Tuesday’s primary election

By Editor | March 11, 2020 |

Due to the fact that there are no local contested races in next Tuesday’s primary election, a state referendum on separation causes may be the only thing of interest for many people.
Voters going to the polls next Tuesday may ask for either a Republican or a Democrat ballot.
They can also ask only for a non-partisan ballot on the separation issue.
Fayette County voters living within Fayette County may also ask only for a non-partisan ballot on a Patoka School District referendum.
The separation ballot reads: “Shall Fayette County collaborate in discussions with the remaining 101 counties of the state of Illinois, with the exception of Cook County, the possibility of forming a new state and ultimately seeking admission to the federal union as the 51st state, pursuant to the provisions of the United States Constitution.”
The Patoka School District ballot reads: “Shall the Board of Education of Patoka Community Unit School District Number 100, Marion, Fayette and Clinton counties, Illinois, improve the site of and build and equip a gymnasium addition to the Patoka Senior High, Junior High and Elementary School buildings and issue bonds of said school district to the amount of $6,180,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?”
Those choosing a Democrat ballot will have very few choices to make, as there are no Democratic candidates for the county officer or county board races up for election.
Democrats can cast votes for president, U.S. senator, U.S. congressman, convention delegates, state representative in the 107th District (David Seiler), and state Supreme Court and Appellate Court judicial positions.
On the Republican ballot are the three county officers who are seeking re-election: Circuit Clerk Kathy Emerick, State’s Attorney Joshua Morrison and Coroner David K. Harris.
All are unopposed in Tuesday’s primary.
Eight seats – seven four-year terms and one two-year term – are also on the ballot, and no Democrats and only one Republican has filed for a seat in the primary election.
Matt Hall is running for a four-year term in District 2.
Those board members whose expire at the end of November are Chairman Jeff Beckman, Vice Chairman Darrell Schaal, Jennifer Waggoner, Patrick Click, Glen “Whitey” Daniels, Dean Bernhardt, Bryce Kistler and Glenda Bartels.
Click and Bartels were appointed to the board to fill vacancies.
State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) is seeking re-election to the 107th District.