Published: November 02, 2009 10:18 am      

Five things to know on Election Day

CLINTON — The make-up of the Clinton City Council could change by more than half Tuesday when the polls close at 8 p.m.

With election day right around the corner, here are five things Clinton residents should know before making their way to the polls.

Where do I vote?

The city election is scheduled for Nov. 3. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

However where you live decides where you go to vote.

If you live in the:

• First Ward: 1st precinct: First United Methodist Church. 2nd precinct: Chancy Lutheran Church.

• Second Ward: 1st precinct: First Presbyterian Church. 2nd precinct: Graphic Arts Center.

• Third Ward: 1st precinct: Courthouse. 2nd precinct: Ericksen Center.

• Fourth Ward: 1st precinct: Administration building. 2nd precinct: Church of the Open Door.

If you have further questions call the Clinton County Auditor’s Office at 244-0568.

Who’s on the ballot?

Five candidates are vying for two At-Large seats up for grabs. One of those seats will be uncontested after Bette Oakley announced she would not seek re-election.

The candidates are Ron Mallicoat, Mike Drury, Jennifer Graf, Ben Luckritz and Charles Mulholland.

In the First Ward, Bob Soesbe will face challenger Margaret Klaes. The Third Ward features longtime councilman Darrell Smith up against former First Ward Councilwoman Beverly Hermann.

For more information about the candidates search each person’s name at clintonherald.com.

What else is on the ballot?

Other than who will represent the city, voters will decide how they want the funds generated from the one cent local option sales tax spent.

The Clinton City Council approved changing the description of the tax to include sanitary, wastewater treatment and street repairs as possibilities the tax, which was approved in 1989, could help fund.

Council members say the measure could provide some relief for escalating sewer bills.

If voters reject the plan, the tax would remain a 50/50 split for helping with property tax relief and stormsewer construction.

Will there be new voting machines at the polls?

Clinton County will be using the new Precinct Atlas program in six precincts during the Nov. 3 election.

In the city, the only location using the new program will be in the Fourth Ward, 1st Precinct.

The new electronic poll book consists of a laptop with the Precinct Atlas software and a connected label printer. The new program will not make the election paperless or decrease the number of election officials. However, it will allow officials to be more confident in the process and ensure everything is more uniform, according to Clinton County Auditor Eric Van Lancker.

Van Lancker said the only difference for people who used the machines during the school board elections will be that they have to fill out a declaration of eligibility, which would include your name, address, city, state and signature.

If I am not registered to vote can I still vote?

A person who is eligible to vote may register on election day by appearing in person at the polling place for the precinct in which the individual resides and completing a voter registration application, making written oath, and providing proof of identity and residence.