‘Your vote will count’
By SARAH SUTSCHEK - ssutschek@nwherald.com
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| LeRoy Knudsen of Woodstock prepares the polling booths Monday by posting directions for voters at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Woodstock . (Lauren M. Anderson – landerson@nwherald.com) |
There have been no major voting hiccups so far, McHenry County Clerk Katherine C. Schultz said.
"Nothing out of the ordinary," she said. "As far as the machines, this morning we had to send a few runners down to help get them set up, but that seems to be about it."
Some areas are seeing above average numbers of voters, while others are a little on the slow side.
"I just know that we got a call from Coral [Precinct] 1 that we have to print more ballots out," Schultz said. "That tells me they're voting pretty good because I ordered 35 percent of the registered voters."
Every polling place has a touch-screen station, but some people prefer the printed ballot, she said.
A total of 320 different ballots will be distributed across McHenry County today, as more than 100 races and referendums are up for vote.
More than 80 races are contested.
It’s more work for the county clerk’s office than the November election, but with significantly smaller turnout, Schultz said.
“There’s a lot more getting ready for it, but as far as turnout, much lower,” she said. “Probably, if we’re lucky, 20 percent, but it varies from area to area.”
In November, for the presidential election, turnout was about 70 percent of the registered voters in McHenry County.
“My gut reaction is people just don’t care,” Schultz said. “A lot of people think, ‘My vote’s not going to count,’ but this is the election where your vote will count even more.”
Schultz said there might be some races won or lost by a single vote, or at least down in the double digits.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some results likely will start becoming available between 8 and 8:30 p.m., Schultz said.
Some of the county’s top contested races are for spots on the Johnsburg Village Board, fueled by the controversial special-service area established to fund a $10 million sewer project.
Three trustee positions are up for election, with all three incumbents running against five newcomers.
Running for village president is Ed Hettermann, a longtime trustee and lifelong resident who has defended the SSA. He faces Lorrie Filippone, a financial trader who moved to Johnsburg in 2000 and has led the effort against it.
The Crystal Lake City Council has eight people vying for three spots, with all three incumbents trying to retain their seats. Most candidates have said that economic development was at the top of their list of priorities, including filling vacant commercial spaces and incentives to attract businesses.
In Woodstock, incumbent Mayor Brian Sager has been challenged by Mark Indyke, who said the city needed to do a better job of listening to residents and making city government more accessible. Sager has pointed to the city’s accomplishments during his term, including the recent approval of a multipurpose facility to be the home of an independent league baseball team.
School boards with contested races include District 158, where incumbent Larry Snow faces Mike Skala for a two-year seat. Skala is a previous board member.
In District 300, six people vie for three four-year terms. Anne Miller and Karen Roeckner are running for re-election against David Alessio, Dorota Jordan, Robert Lee and Tracey Perez.
Several school referendums also are on the ballot, including Marengo-Union District 165, which is asking for a 48-cent property tax rate increase to help relieve $2.5 million in debt.
Cary District 26’s $17 million bond issue would help pay for capital improvements, technology upgrades, and restructuring the district’s finances.
After a failed referendum in February 2008, the Spring Grove Fire Protection District is trying again, this time asking for a 9-cent property tax rate increase to help upgrade equipment and maintain staffing levels.
Also, for the third time in five years, Nunda Township leaders are asking voters to let the township borrow $15 million to buy open space for groundwater preservation.
