Slowly but surely, ballots for the 2019 election cycle will fill out.
That process is already underway, with Nicky Nuessen filing for Americus City Council and Charlie Steffes filing for re-election to the USD 252 Southern Lyon County School Board.
The election this year focuses on local positions — city commission, city council and school board. The primary election is tentatively set for Aug. 6, but Lyon County Clerk Tammy Vopat says that hinges on just how many candidates file. Enough people to have three times the number of an open position plus another candidate are needed to spur a primary.
Vopat says local elections don’t draw the interest of the gubernatorial or presidential cycles, but they are vitally important in the grand scheme of things.
For Emporia City Commission, incumbents Rob Gilligan, Becky Smith and Bobbi Mlynar are up for re-election if they decide to campaign. For Emporia School Board, incumbents are Susan Brinkman, Art Gutierrez and Grant Riles. Mallory Koci, appointed to fill the slot left open when Mike Helbert resigned, is also up for election.
With June 1 falling on a Saturday, the filing deadline this year is June 3. If enough candidates file, the primary is set for Aug. 6. Voter registration for the primary cycle ends July 16, with advance voting to start by mail July 17 and in the Election Office on July 22. Vopat says Saturday polling, which made its debut last fall, will return this year.
For more information about Lyon County positions or the filing process, go online to www.lyoncounty.org, click on “Elections” under the Government drop-down tab and scroll down to the 2019 Election Information header. You can also call the office at 341-3245.
