Staff Report

Deadlines are quickly approaching for the Nov. 6 general election. Harlan County Clerk Donna Hoskins said there are several local offices on the ballot, along with the national presidential race.

“In the November general election, voters will mark their ballots for the race between Democratic incumbent Paul F. Williams and his opponent Republican Joyce Heck, who are vying for the office of Harlan Circuit Court Clerk,” said Hoskins. “We’ll also have the race for the unexpired term between Democrat Delbert Stephens and Republican Mary Ann “Sissy” Niday for the office of District 5 magistrate. Delzinna Belcher currently holds that position where she was appointed after the death of Jim Roark.”

The Harlan County Commonwealth’s Attorney race will list only Steven Parker Boggs, who defeated Henry Johnson in the primary election. Boggs will run unopposed in November. Also on the ballot will be Harlan County Clerk Donna Hoskins, who was appointed after the death of Wanda Clem. She, too, will run with no opposition.

“The unexpired term office of mayor for the city of Evarts will be on the November ballot,” said Hoskins. “Eddie Manning currently holds that position where he was appointed after the death Burl Fee Sr. Since this is a non-partisan race candidates may file for this office up to Aug. 14 and write-ins up to Oct. 26. Both offices for constables in District 2 and District 3 will also be on the ballot. Candidates for these two positions must be nominated by the Democratic and Republican Executive Committee in order to be placed on the November ballot.”

Other positions listed on the November ballot are three county school board district positions, two city school board district positions and all of the city council seats in Benham, Cumberland, Evarts, Harlan, Loyall and Lynch.

“The deadline to file for an office for the upcoming general election is 4 p.m. on Aug. 14,” said Hoskins. “The deadline for filing as a write-in candidate is 4 p.m. on Oct. 26. Write-in candidates may file for any of the above listed offices.”

Hoskins encourages all candidates vying for the office of city council members to do their filing before the deadline. She said they may pick up their forms at the county clerk’s office.

“Incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama will run for a second term while being challenged by Republican nominee Mitt Romney,” said Hoskins. “Also running for this office of president is Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson and Green Party nominee Jill Stein.”

For more information, you may contact the county clerk’s office at 573-3636.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@heartlandpublications.com