Published: January 06, 2010 11:31 am      

Winding down to the primary

Opportunities for absentee ballots, grace period registration, early voting

By PAUL LORENZ

paul.lorenz@mcleansborotimesleader.com

McLEANSBORO — Opportunities to cast votes in next month’s primary election prior to the actual election day begin this week.

Locally, the lone contested race in the Feb. 2 primary is on the Democratic side, where three candidates — Jody Benbrook, David R. Campbell and Kenny Shreve, all of McLeansboro — seek their party’s nomination for sheriff. The winner will go up against Republican incumbent Sheriff Greg Brenner in the general election.

For Hamilton County Board, incumbent Republicans Donald E. Mitchell — the board’s chairman — and John R. Chapman of McLeansboro seek to retain their seats in a field which includes Republican Joe Bernard of Dahlgren, Democrat Wilburn D. “Willie” Grubb of Enfield and Democrat Michael Mezo of McLeansboro.

Since no more than three candidates from any party have filed for County Board, all five will move on to the general election Nov. 2, when three will be elected to at-large seats.

Statewide offices will also be on the primary ballot, including the office of governor.

Applications for absentee ballots for the primary will be accepted until Jan. 28 at the office of the Hamilton County clerk at the courthouse in McLeansboro, according to information from County Clerk Mary Anne Hopfinger.

Grace period registration and voting started Wednesday in the county clerk’s office and continues Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m., until Jan. 26.

Early voting will be conducted in the county clerk’s office, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, Jan. 11 to 28.

• For more information: Hamilton County clerk’s office, 643-2721.