Voters to head to polls Nov. 8 to decide several races, measures

Nov. 5—JAMESTOWN — Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 8, and decide several statewide and local races as well as two measures.

Voting on Election Day will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Jamestown Civic Center and American Legion, 100 Water St. East, in Medina, which is only for voters from precinct 472910.

Individuals planning to vote at the Civic Center should use the ground-level doors on the north side. Voters will enter the Civic Center arena through the Exchequer Room entrance. Doors on the west side of the Civic Center will be locked.

Voters will need to provide a valid North Dakota driver's license or a non-driver's ID card, a tribal government-issued ID card or a long-term care ID certificate. If an individual's acceptable form of identification does not include a North Dakota residential address or date of birth or the address is not current, the individual may supplement the ID with a current utility bill, a current bank statement, a check or a document issued by a federal, state, local or tribal government or a paycheck.

Friday, Nov. 4, was the last day of early voting in Stutsman County. Jessica Alonge, Stutsman County auditor/chief operating officer, said 1,050 people cast ballots during the early voting period that began Monday, Oct. 31.

As of the end of day Thursday, Nov. 4, Stutsman County had received 674 of the 839 absentee ballots that were sent out, she said.

Monday, Nov. 7, is the last day to drop off absentee ballots at the Stutsman County Courthouse. If the ballot is being mailed, it must be postmarked by Nov. 7.

As of Thursday, voters cast almost the same number of ballots that were cast during the primary election in June. In June, 1,741 ballots were cast in Stutsman County.

Alonge said the number of ballots already cast could be because of two statewide measures on the ballot or it being a general election versus a primary election.

"We do have two measures on the general ballot, so it's very possible," she said. "I haven't heard any voters say that though."

The canvassing board will meet to certify the election results at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21, in the commission room.

The Stutsman County Commission seats held by Steve Cichos, Ramone Gumke and Denny Ova are on the ballot. Gumke and Ova did not seek reelection.

Cichos is seeking reelection for the county commission, and Chad Wolsky and Jerry Bergquist are seeking their first terms.

Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser and Stutsman County State's Attorney Fritz Fremgen are running unopposed. Geneva Kaiser is running unopposed for director of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District, and Bernard Wanzek is running unopposed for the supervisor of the Stutsman County Conservation County.

All positions are four-year terms.

Voters will also decide on the county's official newspaper. The Jamestown Sun is the only newspaper listed on the ballot.

For the District 29 races, Sen. Terry Wanzek, R-Jamestown, faces Democratic challenger Ben Vig for the district's lone Senate seat in the North Dakota Legislature. Democratic candidate Charles Linderman will challenge Reps. Don Vigessa, R-Cooperstown, and Craig Headland, R-Montpelier, for one of the two seats for the North Dakota House of Representatives.

Rick Becker, who is running as an independent candidate, and Katrina Christiansen, a Democrat, will challenge Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., for the U.S. Senate.

Cara Mund, who is running as an independent candidate, will challenge Rep. Kelly Armstrong for the lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Other statewide races voters will decide include secretary of state, attorney general, agriculture commissioner, two seats on the Public Service Commission and tax commissioner.

Voters will decide on two statewide measures.

Measure No. 1 would add a new article to the North Dakota Constitution if it is approved by voters. If it is approved, an individual would not be allowed to serve a total of more than eight years in either the North Dakota House of Representatives or the state Senate, separately. It also prohibits an individual from being elected governor more than twice.

Measure No. 2 would create a new chapter of the North Dakota Century Code if it is approved by voters. If approved, the measure will legalize the production, processing and sale of marijuana and the possession and use of the various forms by an individual age 21 or older. It would also direct a state entity to regulate and register businesses that produce or dispense marijuana for use by individuals who are 21 and older.

Voters will also decide several judgeship races.

One seat for a 10-year term on the North Dakota Supreme Court currently held by Daniel J Crothers will be decided in November. Crothers is running unopposed.

In Southeast District Court, voters will consider five seats for six-year terms currently held by Mark Blumer, James D. Hovey, Daniel D. Narum, Jay Schmitz and Troy LeFevre.

The only contested judgeship race is for Blumer's seat; Blumer did not seek reelection. Paul C. Murphy faces Nick D. Thornton for the judge of the District Court No. 2 to replace Blumer.

Hovey, Narum, Schmitz and LeFevre are running unopposed for their judgeship positions.