Local primary races uncontested

Though three candidates have filed nomination papers for two Jefferson County supervisor seats, the June 5 primary election is uncontested.

?One good way to think about it is it?s a nomination election,? said Jefferson County Auditor Scott Reneker. ?It?s kind of like two elections on one day.?

Each of the county?s polling locations will have two separate ballots: one for Republicans and one for Democrats to choose their candidates for the Nov. 6 general election. Voters must be registered as either a Republican or Democrat to participate in the primary.

At the county level, four Republicans are seeking office: Reneker; supervisors Stephen Burgmeier and Lee Dimmitt; and Gregg Morton for sheriff. Becky Schmitz is the only Democrat to have filed papers, but she won?t square off against Burgmeier and Dimmitt until the general election.

The deadline for candidates seeking a spot on the primary ballot is 5 p.m. Wednesday.

State and federal candidates also will appear on the ballot, but those candidates do not file with the local auditor?s office. The Iowa Secretary of State supplies Reneker with an official list.

The deadline for state and federal candidates to file nomination papers was March 16.

All of Jefferson County?s polling precincts will be open for the June 5 primary, which will cost the county $10,000 to $12,000.

Reneker said the final cost of the election depends on the number of absentee ballots voters request and return.

?That drives the cost up,? Reneker said.

He said staffing the precincts costs around $6,000 and the rest of his estimate is for printing ballots and programming the machines.

Reneker also reminded voters to check the new voter registration cards that recently came in the mail to see if their polling location has changed due to redistricting. That information is printed on the card.

Absentee ballots for the primary election will be ready April 26.