Burke announces Nov. 3 county general election ballot candidates

Montgomery County Auditor Stephanie Burke released the list of county candidates for the Nov. 3 general election ballot. The filing deadline for non-partisan offices was 5 p.m. Aug. 26. Those on the ballot include:

Montgomery County Auditor: Stephanie Burke, Republican; Montgomery County Sheriff: Jon Spunaugle, Republican; District 3 Supervisor: Randy Cooper, Republican; Bryant Amos, nomination by petition; District 5 Supervisor: Donna Robison; Hospital Trustees: Sarah Wearin Smith, Lorin Petersen, James Norris, Ann Carder; County Agricultural Extension Council: Mike Thomas, Kassandra Houdek, Chad Jacobs and Lucas Oster; Soil and Water Conservation Board: David Carbaugh, Fred Hossle and Kent D. Swanson.

Township Trustees on the ballot include: Pilot Grove: David W. Olson and Ronald Adams; Lincoln: Kirk Baird; West: Edgar R. Wilkins Sr., and David L. Gohlinghorst; Red Oak: Donna DeVries and Dan Phelps; Garfield: John Willms and Gary Querry; Grant: John Sunberg and Dennis Carlson; Frankfort: Rodney Hart and Washington: Mike Jackson. Members of the Board of Supervisors appoint township trustees in East Township, Douglas Township and Scott Township.

“With the election being less than 10 weeks away, our office team is working to ensure poll workers and voters are prepared for the election amid the Covid-19 pandemic.” said Montgomery County Auditor Stephanie Burke.

She added, Montgomery County traditionally has seven polling locations, but that number will be reduced to four locations. Voters who usually vote at the Grant Fire Station will be voting at the Elliott Community Building. Any voters who traditionally vote at the Red Oak First Christian Church and the Red Oak Fire Station will be voting at the Gold Fair Building in Red Oak.

“We are combining polling places in effort to reduce exposure to our poll workers. Many of our loyal poll workers are vulnerable to the virus, and we need to protect them.” Burke said. “Polling places will look similar to the polling places used during the Primary.”

Other precautions besides social distancing will be implemented for the safety of the poll workers and voters. Poll workers will follow guidelines to ensure that voting machines are clean. In addition, the poll workers will be provided with masks, gloves, sanitizer, and counter shields. Voters will also be given a new pen to use to mark their ballot.