Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Election 2006: Butler wins as new judge

The first election with the iVontronics electronic voting machines perfectly smooth, but it probably went better than many expected. Though paper ballots were still available for the May 23 primary election, many voters took the plunge and used the electronic voting.

Some pollworkers said they encouraged the voters to use the electronic machines, citing various reasons for that stand. Some said they wanted the voters to get past the fear of the machines and knew the only way to accomplish that was to push the use of the machines. In other cases, pollworkers said they wanted to make counting as easy as possible. Only one polling place reported trouble with the machine but county officials said there was no difficulty in retrieving those votes that had already been cast using that machine.

The counting also went better than some predicted. Nevada County Clerk Julie Stockton Oliver announced about 10 p.m. on May 23 that there was a discrepancy of some 80 votes in one ward - poll reports indicated that 80 more people had voted than the actual number of ballots being counted. Oliver said it was later discovered that it was a clerical error. Apparently some voters from another ward had been inadvertently added to that wards total, making it appear that the numbers didnt match.

Those attending the counting process said the totals were announced about 10:30 p.m. Election results currently being reported are complete, though not yet official until certified by the state.

Voters have made their selection for the next county judge and circuit clerk, among others.

Rita Reyenga won her bid for the circuit clerks office while Baker Butler will serve the residents as the next Nevada County Judge.

Reyenga faced Judy Duke for the circuit clerks seat after current circuit clerk Carolyn Steed chose not to run.

Reyenga said she was gathered with family and friends at her home when the 16-box total was released. She said she was leading, but decided to go to the courthouse for the final tallies.

Those totals indicate 1,538 votes for Reyenga and 902 for Duke.

Its humbling, Reyenga said on Thursday following the election.

She said the voting tally is represented in numbers.

But when you think about it, thats people who put their faith and trust in me, she said. And thats humbling.

Reyenga said she sees no big changes immediately following her induction into office. That includes personnel, which Reyenga said would likely remain the same.

I just look for a really simple, easy transition, she said.

Reyenga currently works in the circuit clerks office and said shell have to remember to sign her name circuit clerk rather than deputy clerk.

She said there would be that same kind of change necessary for those who work in the office.

And Ill have to train those girls to write Rita Reyenga instead of Carolyn Steed, she said.

Reyenga said the campaign had been hard work, but that it was worth the effort - not only because she won, but also because shed met so many wonderful people along the way.

You think Nevada County is not that big, she said. Till you start driving those back roads.

The third countywide seat that was up for bid in the May primary election was that of county judge. Current County Judge James Roy Brown announced his intentions not to run early on, leaving the potential for a vacancy in that position. Howard Mullins and Baker Butler both filed for the county judges race.

Butler took the majority of the votes - 1,517 to 946 votes for Mullins. Butler said the results were announced about 10:30 p.m. at the courthouse, and that he and his supporters were waiting.

I knew it was going to be close, Butler said.

Keeping in mind that he wont take office until Jan.1, Butler said he plans to continue to work in his current position as county road foreman until that time. He said he has three or four men in mind to be his successor in that position.

Otherwise, Butler said he really doesnt expect any big changes when he takes office.

In other races around the county:

Incumbent Susie Key edged out Robert Loe for the Nevada County Justice of the Peace District 1 seat. Key received 164 votes to Loes 153.

Herbert Coleman beat out Bill David Barham for the JP District 6 position by a count of 182 to 119. Neither man is an incumbent for this seat.

E.Z. Sonny Buster found an easy victory over his opponent, incumbent Arval Mason, for the JP District 8 seat. Busters total was 205 votes to 139 for Mason.

Mike Otwell found a narrow victory over incumbent George Clary for the JP District 9 spot. Otwell garnered 181 votes, winning by just 13 votes over Clary.

In the Missouri Township Constable race, Todd Prewitt won easily over two opponents, Gervis Fore and Frank Beaty. Prewitt ended the election with 653 votes to 101 for Fore and 321 for Beaty.

Turning to the only city election on the ballot, Elain Williams got 87 votes to only 16 for her opposition, Julian Beasley.