Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Election runoff set June 13

The runoff election is set for June 13, and some people have taken advantage of the opportunity to vote early. According to Nevada County Deputy Clerk Cherrie Wilson, there had already been several people stopping by the county clerks office to vote on May 31.

There are several important points to remember when voting in the runoff. First, though paper ballots will again be available, the pollworkers will be encouraging that voters use the machines. Paper ballots will not be offered during the November general election.

Another important point to remember is that anyone who voted as a Republican for Republican candidates during the primary cannot legally vote on the Democratic ticket for this runoff election. The same rule applies for anyone who voted the bipartisan ticket during the primary.

Voters will be asked to choose between incumbent Steve Otwell and his challenger Bobby Carlton for the opportunity to be the Nevada County Sheriff beginning Jan. 1, 2007. A third candidate for that race - Harold Vines - was eliminated during the primary election held in May. Following the election, Vines formally threw his support behind Carlton.

Both Otwell and Carlton have a history with law enforcement. Otwell has served as sheriff for almost a decade and Carlton worked with the Arkansas State Police for 29 years. Both cite the drug problem as the biggest issue facing the county, though the two have different comments regarding what should be done. Carlton pledges to start a database and to use outside agencies and individuals to work on the problem. He said he believes the auxiliary deputies can be utilized more and that it makes sense to use any information provided by those in the community to help track down and stop illegal drugs.

Otwell said his department has worked with those agencies, and that he and his department have developed relationships with those who are able to offer up information. He said that the use and sale of illegal drugs is a huge problem and that the reality is that its always going to be a problem. Otwell maintains that he has worked on drugs and other problems in the county, and that results are in the number of convictions hes achieved.

Both Otwell and Carlton have said they hope voters are willing to go to the polls and cast their votes during the runoff.

That is the only local election that will be on the ballot for the runoff election.

Several candidates have looked back over plans and discussed the campaign trail. In Justice of the Peace District 8, E.Z. Sonny Buster won over Arval Mason.

I appreciate the support in District 8 for quorum court, Buster said. I enjoyed working and meeting the people. He said he had become acquainted with some new people and had met up with some that he hadnt seen in a long time.

Candidates elected during this primary season will take office Jan. 1. School elections are set for September and the general election will be held in November.