Early voting begins this week

By Editor | February 22, 2023 |

By Carissa Sitki

Early voting for the Tuesday, April 4, consolidated election will begin this Thursday, Feb. 23, in Jersey County.

Jersey County Clerk Pam Warford said the county is ready to go for the election and all voting information is available on the county’s website, jerseycountyclerk-il.gov.

“We are all set to welcome voters on Thursday for early voting,” said Warford. “The ballots are complex and will appear different for different areas. Sample ballots for your area can be found on our website. Front and center on the home page, there is a button that says, ‘Jersey County Voter Info’ and when clicked you can enter your information to view sample ballots and find polling places.”

Warford explained that those who vote by mail can track their ballot on the website as well.

“You can check the status of your vote by mail ballot, if you choose to vote that way,” said Warford.

Consolidated elections typically don’t have large turnouts, but according to Warford, there are several factors at play which could increase this year’s numbers.

“Typically these elections have lower turnouts,” said Warford, “but we may see a bump in Jerseyville voters because of the contested races.”

All five seats on the Jerseyville City Council will be on the ballot, including the role of mayor. Current mayor, William Russel, is not running. Appearing on the ballot in the mayoral race are: Lawrence Welsh, Clifford Coats, and current Commissioner of Accounts and Finance Kevin Stork.

With Stork running for mayor, running to replace him as Commissioner of Accounts and Finance are Anthony Steckel and Lisa Fitzgibbons Wieneke.

Nick Bexheti, the current Commissioner of Streets and Public Improvement, is running to defend his seat, with two challengers, John Miles and Chris Lorton.

Zachary Crawford is the current Commissioner of Public Property. He is also running to defend his seat, with one challenger, Dean Comer.

Finally, in Jerseyville, Stephen Polman is running unopposed to retain his position as Commissioner of Public Health and Safety.

At the county level, Warford said that there may also be an increased voter turnout since there are five people running for three seats on the Jersey 100 Board of Education: running in Township 8N Range 10W is Jake Warford and Brad E. Hagen; running in Township 8N Range 11W is DeWayne Lott; running in Township 8N Range 13W is David Gilman; running in Township 6N Range 12W is Judy K. Rowling.

Another factor that Warford said could increase voter turnout is that last year, the vote-by-mail option was made permanent throughout the state of Illinois and there are 900 Jersey County voters on the list.

“There are probably some people who normally wouldn’t vote, who will be able to cast their ballot by mail,” Warford said.

Appearing on the ballot in Grafton are three Alderman positions which are available in each of the city’s three wards. David Hand is running for his first full term for Alderman of the First Ward after his appointment to the position last fall. Russ Roy is running for the Alderman of the Second Ward, and this will be his first time running. Jim Spencer is running for the Third Ward, and this will be his second time running for the position.

Grafton’s current Treasurer Lisa Fitzgerald is also running for a full term after her appointment last year. The City Clerk, Jennifer Capler was also appointed last year and this will be her first time running for a full term.

In Elsah, there are three trustee positions up for election. Connie Davis, Susan Young, and Cecily Lee are currently trustees and they are all running for reelection for those positions. Also running for one of those trustee positions is Mary Odhiambo.

Early voting at the Jersey County Clerk’s Office, located at 200 N. Lafayette St. in Jerseyville, can be completed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday, April 1, from 9 a.m. to noon.

For more information, contact the Jersey County Clerk’s Office at 618-498-5571.