Clif Knight

Hartselle Enquirer

Morgan County voters will go to the polls Tues., March 1, to cast their ballots in the 2016 “Super Tuesday” Primary Election.

The polls will open at 7 a.m. and remain open to 7 p.m.

Voters will have a choice of three separate ballots – Republican, Democrat and non-partisan.

Two local Republican candidates are going head-to-head in a winner-take–all battle for Morgan County Board of Education, Place 7. The incumbent is Jeff McLemore, 59, who is serving in the final year of a six-year term. A resident of Union Hill, he is a retired administrator in the Morgan County School System. His opponent is John Holly, 43, also of Union Hill. He is on staff at Calhoun Community College as dean of technology.

The Democrat ballot has no one listed as a candidate for the office.

State and national offices up for election include Alabama Board of Education, Place 7, Associate Justice to the Supreme Court (Place No. 3), President  of the Alabama Public Service Commission, U.S. Senator and delegates for President of the United States.

On the Republican Ballot, U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (incumbent) is opposed by Marcus Bowman,  John Martin, Jonathan McConnell and Shadrack McGill. Donna J. Beaulieu and Tom Parker are  candidates for Associate Justice of the Supreme C and Twinkle E. Andress Cavannaugh and Terry Dunn are candidates for President of the Public Service Commission.

Ron Crumpton and Charles Nana are Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate.

A proposed statewide Constitutional Amendment is also subject to voter consideration. If approved, it would authorize the Legislature to provide a retirement program for District Attorneys and Circuit Clerks who are last elected or appointed on or after Nov., 8, 1916.

“I expect voter turnout to be in the 35 to 40 percent range, said Morgan County Probate Judge Greg Cain. “That’s about where our average is for general elections.  Cain added that only 191 absentee ballot had been received at the Morgan County Circuit Court office Fri., Feb. 18.

Cain reminded voters in two precincts, one in Hartselle and one in Decatur, that  their precinct locations have been changed since the last election.

Hartselle voters  who previously voted at American Post 52 will cast their ballots in this and future elections at the Family Life Center at First Baptist Church. Voters in Decatur who cast their ballots at the Decatur Utilities Building in the last election will vote at the Salvation Army Gymnasium in this election and possible in a run-off election if one is required. The reason is the utilities building is undergoing a renovation.

Cain also called attention to another election change created by legislators in 2015 to accommodate voters who are mobility disabled or over age 70.

“Upon the voter’s request, election officials are required to allow any voter who is mobility disabled or over the age of 70 to move to the front of the line at the polling place.”

Both McLemore and Holly are Brewer High School graduates.

McLemore went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from Athens State University, a master’s in education form Alabama A&M, an AA certificate from the University of Alabama and an administration certification from UA.

“The current school board is working well together,” said McLemore. I want to be a part of continuing that relationship and expanding vocational, agricultural and dual enrollment opportunities for our students.”

Holly has a B.S. Degree in education from Athens State University.

He said he entered the race because he wants to bring his experience in education to the table and work to improve communications between the school faculty and parents of students.