Staff Report

Harlan County Clerk Donna Hoskins is expecting a “good” voter turnout for Tuesday’s presidential election and balloting in several local races.

“I think the turnout will be pretty good,” she said. “The reason for that (prediction) is that not only are we having a Presidential Election at a time when there have been many mining layoffs and we have a high unemployment rate, but also there are several local races. I think the turnout will be better than we had previously anticipated.”

Hoskins noted she anticipates the local balloting will run smooth. She did indicate the constitutional question on the ballot has generated some confusion, but that she and her staff had assisted those who contacted the office concerning the item.

Hoskins noted that it seems “a lot of people are fed up” with issues and will be “either voting for someone or against someone” for that reason.

The clerk’s office will be open on election day for matters concerning the election only. Regular business hours will resume the following morning.

Polls at 35 precincts in the county will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., she said.

Anyone needing to know where to vote or needing assistance for election related matters can call her office at 573-3636.

“We are only a phone call away if anyone needs to contact us on election day,” she said.

Here is a break down of the races Harlan County voters will find on the ballot:

PRESIDENT

Appearing on the ballot in the presidential race are: Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan-Republicans; Barack Obama/Joe Biden-Democrats; Jill Stein/Cheri Honkala-Green Party; Randall A. Terry/Missy Reilly Smith-Independent; and Gary Johnson/James P. Gray-Libertarian.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

Three of the four candidates seeking to retain their state representative posts, to represent parts of Harlan County, are unopposed. These include Fitz Steele-D, 84th District; Tim Couch-R, 90th District; and Leslie Combs-D, 94th District.

Incumbent candidate Rick Nelson-D, 87th District, is challenged by Joshua D. Howard, a Republican.

COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY

Steven Parker Boggs-D is unopposed for the Harlan County Commonwealth Attorney.

CIRCUIT COURT CLERK

Harlan Circuit Court Clerk Paul Williams-D is challenged by M. Joyce Heck-R.

COUNTY COURT CLERK

Donna G. Hoskins-D is unopposed.

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT

Janet L. Stumbo is attempting to unseat the incumbent Will T. Scott in this non-partisan race.

MAGISTRATE

Appointed District 5 Magistrate Delbert Stephens-D is challenged by Mary Ann “Sis” Niday-R.

CITY COUNCILS

Benham: Ten candidates are vying for six seats on city council. Those on the ballot are Robert “Monk” Falls, Shirley M. Dodd, Doug Robinson, David L. Childers Jr., Wanda Compton Humphrey, Howard White, Michael R. Ellington, David Kidwell, Cynthia Louise Humphrey and George C. Massey Sr.

Cumberland: Ten candidates are vying for seven seats on city council. Norma Jo Dobos, Leslie C. Bush, Bobby Lewis Jr., Carolyn S. Elliott, Yvonne Gilliam, Charles Raleigh, David C. Dixon, Carla J. Barrett, Jerry V. Gilliam and Ronald Jarvis.

Evarts: Three candidates are vying for mayor. These include Terry Wayne Williams, Eddie Manning and Burl Fee Jr. Nine candidates are vying for six seats on city council. These include Clark Williams, Carrie Lipfird, Tony Aslinger, Clark Cusick Jr., Larry Caudill, V.M. Shelly Shackleford, Jackie Renfro, Ernie H. Woodard and Charlie Couch.

Harlan: Seven candidates have filed for the seven council seats, five are listed on the ballot and two are write-ins. These include Gail Murray, Charles F. Stephenson, M.G. Smith, Grady Lee, Marion Croley Forester and write-in candidates Jonathan Lee and Ann Hensley.

Loyall: Six candidates filed for the six seats. These include Elvin Smith, Trenna C. Cornett, James C. Hagy, Dorothy S. Williams, DeWayneWilliams and Anne McFarland.

Lynch: Nine candidates have filed for the six council seats. Seeking office are Betty Hudack, Linda Adams, Louis “Ned” Marshall Jr., Terry Wayne Lewis, Taylor Lee Hall, Winston Hoskins Yeary Sr., Bennie V. Massey, Carl D. Collins and Sharon Reynolds Lewis.

CITY SCHOOL BOARD

Two candidates are unopposed and seeking the two open seats on the Harlan Independent Board of Education. Both candidates, Matthew G. Nunez and Joe Meadors, currently hold positions on the board.

COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

Current District 1 Board of Education Member Brenda V. Henson is challenged by Harry Moore.

Two are seeking reelection to the Harlan County School Board and are unopposed in their districts. These are Chairman Gary Farmer, representing the second district, and Myra Mosley, representing the third district.

CONSTABLE

The county’s second and third districts will be electing constables. The second district candidate, Clyde Payne-D, is unopposed. In the third district, Martin Keith-R is challenging Jim “Muggins” Bennett-D.

CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION

This question is to decide whether to amend the state’s constitution to grant the status of a “personal right” to hunting and fishing. Some states have already passed similar measures. If passed, any future attempt to prohibit hunting, fishing or trapping could be done only by again amending the constitution through voting by the people.