One Day to Go; Election Day is Tuesday

If early voting is any indication, turnout for Tuesday's election could be large.

The Effingham County Clerk's Office was reporting that 2,275 early votes had been cast as of mid-morning Monday, close to 10% of those in the county registered to vote.

Here's a look at what to vote on Tuesday:

All Illinois residents can vote on a state constitutional amendment.  If passed, it would mean a three-fifths majority would be needed to increase a benefit under any public pension or retirement system.  The proposed amendment would take effect January 9, 2013.  A Yes vote would mean you're in favor of requiring the three-fifths majority.

You'll be able to vote for president; incumbent Democrat Barack Obama, Republican challenger Mitt Romney, Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson or Green Party nominee Jill Stein.

Effingham County will now be part of the 15th Congressional District.  You can vote either for Republican incumbent John Shimkus or Democrat challenger Angela Michael.

Effingham County will now be split into two State Senate districts.  The western part of the county, including the City of Effingham, will be in the 54th District where incumbent Republican Kyle McCarter or Democrat challenger Danny Stover are the candidates.  The eastern part of the county will be in the 55th District where incumbent Republican Dale Righter is running unopposed for re-election.

Effingham County will now be split into two State Representative districts.  The western part of the county, including the City of Effingham, will be in the 107th District where incumbent Republican John Cavaletto is unopposed for re-election.  The eastern part of the county will be in the 109th District where incumbent Republican David Reis is unopposed for re-election.

Almost all of Effingham County is in the Bond-Fayette-Effingham County Educational Service Region where incumbent Democrat Julie Wollerman is running unopposed for a full term.  Wollerman was appointed to the post following Mark Drone's retirement.

A tiny part of Effingham County is in the Clay, Crawford, Jasper, Lawrence and Richland County Educational Service Region where Democrat Monte Newlin is running unopposed.

In the countywide races, there are no incumbents running.

In the race for Circuit Clerk, Republican John Niemerg is running against Democrat Pam Mathy, who defeated incumbent Becky Jansen for the Democrat nomination earlier this year.

In the race for State's Attorney, Republican Bryan Kibler is running against Democrat Deborah Niebrugge Reimers.  Incumbent Democrat Ed Deters is not seeking re-election.

In the race for County Coroner, Republican Duane Guffey is running against Democrat Tanya Overbeck.  Incumbent Democrat Leigh Hammer is not seeking re-election.

All nine Effingham County Board seats are up for grabs on Tuesday.

In District A, Republican Lloyd Foster is running against Democrat Leonard Waldhoff.  Incumbent Republican Jim Reeves is not seeking re-election.  Both candidates this year have served on the County Board in the past.

In District B, incumbent Republican Jim Niemann is running against Democrat challenger Jim Hammer.

In District C, incumbent Democrat Karen Luchtefeld is running unopposed for re-election.

In District D, incumbent Republican David Campbell is running against Democrat challenger Gene Jackson for the second straight election.

In District E, Republican Mike Depoister is running unopposed for a term on the Board.  Longtime incumbent Republican Bob Shields is not seeking re-election after 30 years on the Board.

In District F, incumbent Republican Jeff Simpson is running unopposed for a new term.

In District G, Republican Ed Hoopingarner is running against Democrat Doug McCain.  Incumbent Republican and current Board Chairman Carolyn Willenburg is not seeking re-election.

In District H, incumbent Republican Rob Arnold running unopposed for a new term.

In District I, Republican Joseph Thoele is running against Democrat Rebecca Gobczynski.  Incumbent Democrat Larry Vahling is not seeking re-election.

Effingham County voters will help select a judge for the 5th District Appellate Court, either Republican Steven McGlynn or Democrat Judy Cates, to fill the vacancy of Judge James Donovan.

Another Appellate Court Judge, Melissa Ann Chapman, is seeking retention to the bench.

Four 4th Circuit judges are also seeking retention; Ron Spears, Sherri Tungate, Daniel Hartigan and Kimberly Koester.

There are also several public questions about an electricity aggregation effort.  If you favor the going together in hopes of buying power at a lower rate, you should vote Yes.  The questions are on the ballot in unincorporated parts of the county as well as in the City of Effingham, Village of Dieterich, Village of Montrose, Village of Teutopolis, Town of Mason and Village of Beecher City.  Village of Beecher City residents will also vote on a liquor question.  The question asks whether the prohibition of the sale at retail of alcoholic liquor should continue.  If you think the ban on retail sales of liquor in Beecher City should continue, you should vote Yes.

Polls will be open from 6am to 7pm Tuesday.  If you have questions about where you should vote in Effingham County, phone the Effingham County Clerk's Office at 342-6535.  Also, Effingham American Legion Post #120 will have a representative Tuesday to pick up people and give them a ride to the polls.  For a ride, phone 690-3179.

A reminder that we'll have election returns as soon as they're available on the radio on 979XFM and on the Web at www.979xfm.com and www.kjcountry.com.  Doc Kralman will have precinct-by-precinct results from the Effingham County Office Building and Wayne Moran will have the numbers posted online.  News Director Greg Sapp will check on area races and will keep up-to-date on national races.