Large turnout is expected for Election Day Tuesday

Lincoln County voters will go to the polls Tuesday not only to elect a president, but to determine who will represent them in county and statewide offices as well.

According to Assistant Election Administrator Leigh Riggleman, greater than two-thirds of all registered voters are expected to turn out for Tuesday’s General Election.

“Usually, for a presidential election the turnout is high,” Riggleman said. “I believe we’ll see about a 70 percent voter turnout.”

Polls at most precincts in Lincoln County will open at 7 a.m. Tuesday and remain open until 8 p.m. with the exclusion of Precincts 5 and 14 — Yaak 2 and Pleasant Valley 2 at the Fisher River — that open at noon and close at 8 p.m.

   The race with the largest implications in Lincoln County pits Steve Curtiss against Mike Cole for the Eureka District (No. 3) Commissioner to replace the retiring Marianne Roose whose last day is Dec. 31.

   Curtiss appears first on the ballot, and both candidates do not list a party affiliation.

   Susan Farmer, clerk for the District Court, also faces re-election, however, she is unopposed.

   While the national media continues to focus on the tight race between Democratic President Barack Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney, Montanans continually are barraged with radio advertising between Republican Rick Hill, Democrat Steve Bullock and Libertarian Ron Vandevender for governor and for the U.S. Senate race between incumbent Democrat Jon Tester, GOP challenger Denny Rehberg and Libertarian Dan Cox.

   The Tester-Rehberg race, which has been getting the lion’s share of air time, has national implications for majority control of the U.S. Senate.

   Also up for re-election are state Reps. Mike Cuffe (House No. 2) and Jerry Bennett (House No. 1).  Voters in those respective precincts will have differing ballots respective to their state representatives. Both men are unchallenged.

   Other state office races include the race for U.S. representative that pits Democrat Kim Gillian against Republican Steve Daines and Libertarian David Kaiser.

   Incumbent Secretary of State Democrat Linda McCulloch is seeking another term and standing in her way are Republican Brad Johnson and Libertarian Roger Roots.

   The quest for Attorney General is a wide-open race with Bullock vacating the post to make a run for the governor’s race as Republican Tim Fox and Democrat Pam Bucy compete to fill that vacancy.

   State Auditor Monica Lindeen, a Democrat, is facing challenger Derek Skees, a Republican, while incumbent Democrat Denise Juneau squares off against Republican Sandy Welch for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

   Also,, there are three legislative referendums on the ballot — Referendums 120, 121 and 122.

   LR-120 prohibits a physician from performing an abortion on a minor younger than 16 years unless that physician notifies a parent or legal guardian at least 48 hours before the procedure. However, notice is not required if there is a medical emergency; if it is waived by a youth court in a sealed proceeding, or if it is waived by the parent or guardian. The votes are either for or against the notification provision.

   LR-121 prohibits providing state assistance and services to people who are not U.S. citizens and who have unlawfully remained in the U.S.  Essentially, LR-121 will require proof of citizenship before receiving assistance, applying for state licenses, state employment, unemployment or disability benefits.

   LR-122 prohibits the state and federal governments from requiring the purchase of health insurance or imposing any penalty, tax, fee or fine on those who do not purchase health insurance. The referendum is borne from the national health plan that has been come to be known as ObamaCare.

   The Lincoln County Clerk’s Office will accept absentee ballots at the Courthouse until noon Monday, Riggelman said.