Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Ballot Positions Determined

Residents of Nevada County will decide the outcome of nine locally contested raced during this primary. Several of those candidates gathered at the Nevada County Courthouse on April 13 to participate in the drawing for ballot positions. In some races, opposing candidates drew for those slots. If candidates or a representative were not present, members of the Nevada County Clerks Office drew for them.

The process begins with numbers printed on slips of paper. These numbers are rolled up so that the printing isnt visible, then enclosed in a clear capsule. The candidates for a contested race draw from the capsules and the person with the lowest number get the first spot on the ballot. Some candidates cite the advantage of being listed first while others seem to think theres little advantage.

The Nevada County Judge, Sheriff and Circuit Clerk are all contested races.

County judge candidate William Mullins who was present for the drawing won the first position on the ballot and opponent Baker Butler will be listed second. Neither is an incumbent as current county judge James Roy Brown has announced that he wont seek reelection this term.

There are three candidates for county sheriff though Harold Vines was the only one to put in an appearance and draw for position on the ballot. Vines won the first place spot with candidate Bobby Carlton taking the second position. Incumbent Steve Otwell will be the third sheriffs candidate listed.

Both circuit clerk candidates were present to draw for themselves. Judy Duke got the smaller number and will be first on the ballot, ahead of her opposition Rita Reyenga. Current circuit clerk Carolyn Steed isnt seeking reelection.

There are four contested justice of the peace seats. Districts 1, 6, 8 and 9 each have opposition. Incumbent Vicki Susie Key will be second on the ballot for the District 1 seat with her opponent Robert Loe taking the first position. In District 6, Herbert Coleman will be first on the ballot while William David Barham will be listed second. E.Z. Sonny Buster will be listed first for District 8 voters and incumbent Arval Mason of that district will be second. In the 9th District, Mike Otwell gets the first ballot slot and George A. Clary will be listed second.

One city council position is a contested race. Elaine Williams gained the first position ballot spot and Juliam Beasley will be listed in the second slot for that race.

Finally, there is a single contested race among the constables positions. Missouri Township has three candidates and Gervis Fore won the first ballot position in that race. Todd Prewitt will be listed second and Frank Beaty will have the third spot.