Record voter turnout likely for Nov. 4 election
By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
A record number of voters are expected to cast ballots in the General Election next Tuesday based on a record number of absentee voters, a high level of interest in the presidential race and hotly contested campaigns for state and county offices, according to Morgan County Probate Judge Greg Cain.
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and voters will cast ballots in the same voting precincts they used in the June Primary Election. Voters will be asked to show one of 27 acceptable forms of identification in order to cast their ballots. They have the option of voting a straight party ticket or switching back and forth to mark ballots for the candidates of their choice, regardless of party affiliation.
The election will offer voters four different ballot styles, depending on where they live. Morgan Count is split between U.S. Congress district s four and five and Hartselle and Decatur voters aren’t eligible to vote for members of the Morgan County Board of Education.
Live election results will be posted on the Probate office’s website—www.morgancountyprobate.com—as they are received on election night.
Voters will have a choice of casting a ballot for one of five presidential and vice presidential candidates: Democratic nominees Barack Obama and Joe Bidden; Republican nominees John McCain and Sarah Palin; and independent candidates Chuck Baldwin and Darrell L. Castle, Bob Barr and Wayne Root and Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez
For U.S. Senator Democrat Vivian Davis Figures is opposing Republican incumbent Jeff Sessions; for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Democrat Deborah Bell Paseur and Greg Shaw are the candidates; for Court of Civil Appeals Judge Democrat Kimberly Harbison Drake is opposed by Republican Bill Thompson; for Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 1, Democrat Clyde Jones is running against Republican Beth Kellum; for Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place 2, Aimee Cobb Smith and Mary Windom are the candidates; for President, Public Service Commission, Democrat Lucy Baxley is opposed by Republican Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh.
Democrat Larry W. Madison and Brent Craig are seeking Morgan County District Court Judge, Place 1 and Democrat Tim Kyle and Republican Charles Langham are seeking Morgan County District Court Judge, Place 2.
Democrat Jimmy Dewayne Brindley and Republican Don Stisher are the candidates for Morgan County Commission, District 3.Republican Greg Abercrombie is listed on the ballot for Morgan County Commission, District 4, but has no opposition from the Democratic Party.
Democrat Rita Sims is opposing Republican incumbent Amanda G. Scott for Morgan County Revenue Commission.
Democrat incumbent Sue Baker Road is opposed by Mark McCurry for Morgan County License Commissioner.
Democrat James Ray Bowling is running against Carolyn Wallace for Member, Morgan County Board of Education, Place 2. Republican Mike Tarpley is listed on the ballot without Democratic opposition for Member, Morgan County Board of Education, Place 3 and Republican Tom Ear wood is listed without Democratic opposition for Member, Morgan County Board of Education, Place 6.
