Early voting opens Oct. 20

When one-stop voting opens Thursday, Oct. 20, residents may finally start marking their ballots in an election that many feel has stretched out for eternity. 

The well publicized presidential race may have overshadowed other contests, but there are several important local, state and federal offices on this year’s ballot. 

On the local level voters will choose three county commission candidates from an unusually small field of four. Candidates include Republican incumbents Randy Nichols, Rob Peck and Robert Cline Penland. The lone Democrat vying for a seat on the board is Sandy Zimmerman.

The local school board race is also smaller than in past years. Two seats on the board are sought by three candidates: Democrat incumbent Jason Rhinehardt along with Republicans Reba Beck and Danny Jones.