Tuesday is Nebraska’s primary election day. Polls will be open in Columbus from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
We encourage all voters to make their voice heard.
Platte County Polling places can be found online at columbustelegram.com/election/polls.html. A link on that page will allow you to search for your polling place.
If voters still have questions, they can call Diane Olmer, Platte County election commissioner, at 563-4908.
Everyone can vote on Proposed Amendment No. 1, which would provide more flexibility for public endowment investments. A Columbus example would be the Columbus Public Library Foundation. Passage of the amendment would allow such entities a broader range of investments.
Some estimates place the additional revenue this would generate to be about 4 percent. We believe you should support this amendment.
Other nonpartisan issues of local interest include a Nebraska Public Power District seat, a Natural Resources District seat and a preliminary winnowing of school board candidates in the Lakeview and Madison districts. (A previously published story on the NPPD board race is available at columbustelegram.com/news/local.)
On the partisan side, Democrats will face a U.S. Senate candidate choice that despite a four-person field really boils down to Behlen executive Tony Raimondo versus college professor Scott Kleeb. Raimondo is well-known locally; Kleeb did surprisingly well against Rep. Adrian Smith two years ago in the race.
This year’s 3rd District Democrat candidates are Jay Stoddard and Paul Spatz.
The presidential race is essentially moot given the caucuses held earlier this year.
Republicans can chose between Pat Flynn and Mike Johanns as their Senate candidate. Johanns is seen as a prohibitive favorite, but Flynn does impress many people who meet him.
Smith faces a relatively unknown Jeremiah Ellison for a second run for the 3rd District seat in November.
Republicans have a choice for president. If John McCain is not to their liking, Ron Paul is still plugging away.
Residents may also ask for a nonpartisan congressional ballot to have a say on party Senate or House nominees, a call to the elections commissioner’s office reveals.
Lamentably, we have no contested races at the city or county level.
Regardless, let’s get out the vote and at least in Platte County blow Sec. of State John Gale’s pessimistic 27 percent turnout prediction.
See you at the polls.
Print This Story
Email This Story
