Voter turnout
Voter turnout predicted high General Election Tuesday By STU MERRY If the number of absentee ballots already returned to election officials at the McLean County Courthouse is any indication, the turnout for Tuesday’s General Election could see record numbers. County Auditor/Treasurer Les Korgel said as of Friday more than 700 absentee ballots have already been returned. "That is quite a bit more than previous general elections at this point in the election season," Korgel observed. The highest number of absentee ballots cast in the county was 1988 when about 500 were cast. Korgel went on to say he anticipates the turnout to be heavy, depending on the weather. He predicts more than 5,000 county voters will go to the polls Tuesday to cast their voteS. Four years ago, 4,806 county residents cast their ballots in the General Election; eight years ago, that number was 4,719. Voters will go to the polls Tuesday to cast their votes for a number of candidates who are vying for a variety of offices. Four measures are also on the ballot. District races District 4 features a three-person race for two seats in the North Dakota House of Representatives. The three include incumbent Kenton Onstad, D-Parshall, and newcomers Tom Conklin, D-Garrison, and Daryl Lies, R-Garrison. Sen. John Warner, D-Ryder, is running unopposed. District 8 features races for both the Senate and House seats. Vying for the Senate seat will be incumbent Layton Freborg, R-Underwood, and challenger Wes Weible, D-Turtle Lake. Four candidates will be seeking two seats in the House. Incumbents Jeff Delzer, R-Underwood, and Dwight Wrangham, R-Bismarck, are being challenged by Audrey Boe Olsen, D-Turtle Lake, and Ken Baker, D-Coleharbor
