State and local ballot issues at stake

Next Tuesday, Nov. 7, is decision day for voters as they head to the polls to cast their ballots for national, state and county officials, constitutional initiatives and amendment issues, a bond issue for Lake County Search and Rescue, forms of government in Lake County and the City of Polson.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in all of Lake County's 22 precincts, according to Elections Office director Kathy Newgard.

Here's the ballot lineup:

National candidates

U.S. Senator — Conrad Burns (R-incumbent), Stan Jones (L), Jon Tester (D).

U.S. Representative — Mike Fellows (L), Monica J. Lindeen (D), and Denny Rehberg (R-incumbent).

Public Service Commissioner, District 5 — Mike Taylor (R) and Ken Toole (D).

Clerk of the Supreme Court: Howard Scott Butler (L), Ron Marquardt (C), Ed Smith (D-incumbent).

State candidates

Depending on which district voters live in, they'll cast their ballots for the following:

State Representative, District 9 — Bill Jones (R), Edd Blackler (D).

State Representative, District 11 — Denise Peterson (D), Janna Taylor (R-incumbent).

State Representative District 12 — Rick Jore (C), Jeanne Windham (D-incumbent).

State Representative, District 15 — Joey Jayne (D-incumbent).

State Senator, District 5 — Verdell Jackson (R), Ric Smith (D)

State Senator, District 8 — Maria Folsom (L), Carol C. Juneau (D-incumbent), Long Sanding Bear Chief, (I)

County candidates

County Commissioner, District 3 — Paddy R. Trusler (R)

Clerk and Recorder, Auditor, public administrator, surveyor — Ruth Hodges (D)

Sheriff/Coroner — Lucky Larson (R)

County Attorney — Mitch Young (R)

Supt. of Schools — Gale Decker (R)

Treasurer/Assessor — Patti Duford Kugler (R)

Non-partisan candidates

Lake County Justice of the Peace — Lonnie Dean Erickson, Chuck Wall (incumbent)

Supreme Court Justice #1 — Jim Rice

Supreme Court Justice #2 — John Warner.

District Court Judge, District 20, Dept. 2 — Deborah "Kim" Christopher.

Local ballot issues

Search and Rescue levy — Vote for or against a permanent levy of up to two mils raising about $110,000 to be established within with the SAR to increase capabilities of SAR units under direction of the Sheriff's Office by funding, equipping and training volunteers in water rescue, high mountain rescue, snow rescue, searches for lost of injured children, hikers, hunters, etc.

Lake County Plan of Government, # 1 — Vote for or against the adoption of existing plan of county government to provide non-partisan election of officers.

Lake County Plan of Government, # 2 — Vote for or against the adoption of existing plan of county government to provide for election of county commissioner by district.

Polson Government Review — To adopt the self-government charter with a council-manager plan of government for the City of Polson as recommended by the Polson Local Government Review Stud Commissin, or to retain the existing council-mayor plan of government.

Arlee bond issues

Arlee District 8J bond issue — For or against authorizing Trustees of the Elementary District to issue and sell general obligation bonds of $2.8 million, bearing interest at a rate to be determined by the Board of Trustees at a competitive rate, not to exceed 6.5 percent per annum, payable semi-annually for not more than 10 years. Funds would provide for designing, constructing, furnishing and equipping a new kindergarten through third grace facility … Paying a portion of costs to design, construct, furnish and equip a new gym to include locker rooms, multipurpose room and lunchroom, and paying the costs of related amenities and improvements and costs associated with sale and issuance of the bonds.

The High School District 8J seeks authority to issue general obligation school building bonds to provide funds to pay a portion of the costs of the new gym.

High School District 8 (Arlee) — For or against authorizing Trustees of the Elementary District to issue and sell general obligation bonds of $2.8 million, bearing interest at a rate to be determined by the Board of Trustees at a competitive rate, not to exceed 6.5 percent per annum, payable semi-annually for not more than 10 years. Funds would pay for a portion of costs to design, construct, furnish and equip a new gym on the Arlee school campus to include locker rooms, multipurpose room and lunchroom, paying the costs for renovating the existing gym to include classrooms and auditorium for high school purposes, and paying the costs of related amenities and improvements and costs associated with sale and issuance of the bonds.

State ballot issues

Voters can ignore the three measures that the Supreme Court has ruled Initiative 154 and Constitutional Initiatives 97 and 98 invalid. Any votes cast on those three issues will not be counted.

State issues remaining on the ballot are:

Initiative 151 — For or against raising the minimum wage to $6.15 per hour or the federal minimum wage, plus an annual cost of living adjustment.

Initiative 153 — For or against prohibiting certain former state officials and staff from becoming licensed lobbyists within 24 months following their departure from state government.

Constitutional Amendment 43, an amendment to the State Constitution Proposed by the Legislature — For or against changing the name of the State Auditor to Insurance Commissioner.

Polling places

Following is the list of polling places:

Precinct 1 — Dayton Presbyterian Church.

Precincts 2 through 7, 16 and 18 — Linderman Gym, Polson.

Precincts 8, 9, 19, and 20 — Ronan Community Center.

Precinct 10 — Charlo School Gym.

Precincts 11, 12, and 21, St. Ignatius School Gym.

Precinct 13 — Farandole Clubhouse.

Precinct 14 — Bear Dance Clubhouse.

Precincts 15 and 17 — Swan River State Forest Headquarters.

Precinct 22 — Arlee Senior Center.