Advance voting for Allen Countians wishing to make their choices for local city or school board elections starts next week — as long as you’re registered to do so.
Those who are not registered to legally cast their votes have until 5 p.m. Tuesday to register. Advance voting begins a week from today, Oct. 13.
There are several locations in Allen County to register, including the county clerk’s office and at city halls in Iola, Humboldt, Gas, LaHarpe and Moran.
A handful of contested seats in Iola and Humboldt will be decided in the Nov. 3 election.
Three Iola City Council members have opponents.
Ron Ballard, who represents Ward 2, is being challenged by former mayor and city councilman Joel Wicoff. In Ward 3, Eugene Myrick is being challenged by Nicholas Lohman. Incumbent Mark Peters is being challenged in Ward 4 by Joshua McArdle.
City Councilman Steve French is looking to replace Jon Wells as mayor. French is unopposed; Wells did not file for re-election. Likewise, Josiah D’Albini is unopposed in his bid to replace Ward 1 Council member Nandy Ford, who did not file for re-election.
In Humboldt, Mayor Nobby Davis is being challenged by Cynthia Holinsworth.
There are also contested races for Iola-USD 257 and Humboldt-USD 258 school boards, with both having four candidates seeking to fill three seats.
In USD 257, Sofie Alexander, Mandey Coltrane, Robin Griffin-Lohman and John Wilson are looking to fill seats being vacated by Jennifer Coltrane, Jerad Larkey and Nancy Toland.
Incumbents Nathan Ellison and Kevin Heisler have filed to retain their USD 258 school board seats, along with challengers Joyce Allen and Ashley Johnson. Board member Helen Harrington did not file for re-election.
In a departure from years past, there also are four candidates for two Southwind Extension District Board seats. Incumbent Jim Smart is on the ballot, as are Miles Mentzer, Carol Crawford and George Covey. Jonet Bland did not file for re-election.
SEVERAL ballot slots will have little to no drama, although a write-in candidate will be necessary to fill the Allen Community College Board of Trustees. Jenny Spillman is the only incumbent who has filed, along with Iolan Jessica Thompson to fill three seats. Neal Barclay and Barbara Anderson did not file for re-election.
Other races with as many or more vacancies than candidates are set for Gas, LaHarpe, Moran, Bassett, Elsmore and Savonburg city councils and Marmaton Valley-USD 256’s Board of Education.
