Few choices in ’04 county elections
While a presidential election will dominate 2004, there will be very few offices at stake locally with a limited number of races during the upcoming year.
“Now in 2006, just about everything will be up for election,” said Election Administrator Donna Yates. “We have just a few races during the upcoming year.”
Aside from three school board positions, only one county office will be up for election in 2004, that being the office of tax assessor. Incumbent assessor Carolyn Miller has already qualified to seek re-election to her post. One potential challenger, Tom Winfree, has picked up qualifying papers.
According to Yates, the deadline to enter the assessor’s race will be Dec. 11 of this year. Primaries will be held on Feb. 10, coinciding with the presidential preference primary. The general election will be held Aug. 5 at which time voters will elect a tax assessor along with school board members for the 2nd, 4th and 6th school districts.
While somewhat of an off year for elections, the 2004 season will not go down without some local impact as state representatives, state senator, and U.S. congressman will be elected in the Nov. 2 election. The offices up for election include those currently held by state Reps. Judd Matheny and Charles Curtiss, state Sen. Jerry Cooper and U.S. Congressman Lincoln Davis.
“The main thing for people to know at this point is the early deadline this December for the assessor’s office because the primary will be held early in 2004,” Yates said, noting a referendum on whether the county will join the city in upping the local option sales tax rate may be held during the February balloting.