Election Day nearing for Yuma voters

As Election Day nears, Yuma County voters have a lot of important propositions and candidate races to consider, according to the county elections officer.

Sue Stallworth said she expects this year's turnout in the county to be one of the highest ever, even if many of the county offices are uncontested.

She bases her expectation on the presidential race and statewide ballot propositions.

Besides a president and the propositions, county voters will choose among candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, state and county offices and school boards, and whether to unify the county's nine school districts, creating five new districts.

Yuma city voters will decide whether to proceed with plans for a multi-use arena.

Election Day is Nov. 4, but early voting begins Oct. 2.

"We want to urge everyone to exercise their right to vote," said Stallworth. "Every vote does count. It's their opportunity to have a voice in how their state, local and federal government is run."

Stallworth said she expects this year's countywide turnout will meet or exceed the turnout in the 2000 general election, which was 61 percent.

By comparison, in the 2004 general election, with no presidential race, the turnout was only 32 percent, or roughly 48,000 votes cast.

"When we plan for an election, we anticipate that every voter will vote," Stallworth said. "So we always anticipate the current turnout will be greater then the past election."

There are an estimated 72,000 registered voters, both active and
inactive, on county voter rolls, according to Stallworth.

The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 4 general election, Stallworth said, is Oct. 6. And the last day to request an early ballot is Oct. 24.

"Also if any candidate wants to file to run as a write-in, they must do so
before Sept. 25," Stallworth said.

This year's presidential election features Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and running mate Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware squaring off against Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Other presidential candidates include Green Party candidate Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney of Georgia and running mate Rosa Clemente, a community organizer, journalist and hip-hop activist; Independent candidate Ralph Nader and his running mate, attorney Matt Gonzalez; and the Libertarian candidate Bob Barr, an attorney and congressman from Georgia, and his running mate, Wayne Allyn Root, a small business owner and television producer.

Radio talk show host and minister Chuck Baldwin is running as a write-in candidate.

This year's presidential election will have a historic outcome no matter which party wins because it will be the first time that either a black man is elected president and a woman becomes the vice president.

Barring the emergence of write-in candidates, only five county races will be contested, either because the offices were decided in the primary election or because incumbents were uncontested this year.

Contested county races are incumbent Russell McCloud, a Republican, against Democratic challenger Donna Phipps for District 2 supervisor; incumbent Democrat Tony Reyes against Republican David Lara for District 4 supervisor; Republican Robyn Stallworth Pouquette and Democrat Brenda Wehrle for recorder; Democrat Daniel Dawson and Republican David Egeberg for treasurer; and Republican John Minore and Democrat Maria Elena Cruz for Superior Court judge in Division 6.

"I don't think (the lack of candidates) will have any effect on the turnout because we still have enough good contested races, so it probably won't matter," Stallworth said.

All three of Yuma County's state legislative seats are contested.

Democratic incumbents Lynne Pancrazi and Theresa Ulmer and Republican Russ Jones are competing for the county's two seats in the House of Representatives. Jones is a former state representative from Yuma County.

Incumbent state Sen. Amanda Aguirre, a Democrat, will defend her seat against Green Party candidate Jack Kretzer.

Joseph Sweeney, a Republican, is running against incumbent Raul Grijalva, a Democrat, for U.S. representative of District 7, which includes Yuma County.

Stallworth added she wanted to encourage people to update their voter registration information. She said their current information must match what is on the voter registration form.

"It's important because if you have moved since the last election, you could be voting at a different precinct. You will still be able to vote, but only on a provisional ballot," which must be verified later.

---

BALLOT PROPOSITIONS

From the Arizona Secretary of State's Web site - www/azsos.gov - with wording by the sponsors:

Propositions are listed numerically. Those listed in the 100s are constitutional amendments, some proposed by the Legislature and some proposed by citizen groups.
Propositions listed in the 200s are Initiatives, proposed statutory changes brought forward by citizen groups.
Propositions listed in the 300s are referendums, proposals that have been conditionally approved by the Legislature, pending voter approval.

• Proposition 100 — Protect Our Homes
This Initiative prohibits the government from charging any new tax on the sale or transfer of real property in Arizona. Currently, there are no real property sales or transfer taxes in Arizona. However, the government could enact a real property sale or transfer tax at any time. This Initiative would prohibit the enactment of any new real property sales or transfer tax by a constitutional amendment.

•Proposition 101 — Medical Choice for Arizona
The "Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act" will preserve and protect the rights of individuals to make their own health care and health insurance choices. Currently, many lobbyists and special interest groups in Arizona and around the country are promoting policies that would limit or even eliminate the ability of people to have choices when seeking out health care for themselves and their families. This initiative will guarantee the right of Arizonans to make their own health care choices.

•Proposition 105 — Majority Rules - Let the People Decide
To protect the will of the people of Arizona for fiscal responsibility through true majority rule, any initiative that imposes additional taxes or spending must have support from a majority of qualified electors in Arizona. Currently, initiatives that increase taxes or spending can pass with approval from only a minority of qualified electors. In the past, big money, special interest groups have pushed higher spending and taxes. Arizona now faces one of the largest deficits of any state in the country.

•Proposition 200 — Payday Loan Reform Act
Arizonans use payday lending services every day to meet unforeseen expenses and financial emergencies. The payday lending industry is set to be eliminated and the Arizona Legislature refuses to enact reforms to benefit borrowers while preserving this important financial option. This measure will bring dramatic pro-consumer reform to payday lending and preserve consumer choice. It includes a substantial rate cut, eliminates rolling-over principal to extend a loan, creates a repayment plan at no cost to customers that can't meet their obligations, and inhibits a borrower's ability to obtain more than one loan at a time.

•Proposition 201 — Homeowners' Bill of Rights Committee
Ten-year warranty on new homes. Right to demand correction of construction defects or compensation. Homeowners participate in selecting contractors to do repair work. They can sue if no agreement with the builder. No liability for builders' attorney and expert fees but homeowner can recover these costs. Homeowners can sometimes recover compensatory and consequential damages. Disclosure of builders' relationships with financial institutions. Model homes must reflect what is actually for sale. Right to cancel within 100 days and get back most of the deposit. Prohibiting sellers' agents from participating in false mortgage applications.

•Proposition 202 — Stop Illegal Hiring
This act is an initiative designed to crack down on unethical businesses who hire illegal immigrants. This initiative targets employers who hire workers and pay under-the-table in cash, which fuels illegal immigration in Arizona. It revokes the business license of employers who knowingly or intentionally hire illegal immigrants. This initiative increases penalties for identity theft, as illegal immigrants often use stolen identities to conceal their undocumented status. Fines collected as a result of this initiative will be distributed to schools and hospitals to help deal with the financial burden placed on Arizona because of illegal immigration.

•Proposition 203 — Transportation and Infrastructure Moving Arizona's Economy ("TIME") Act
Will reduce congestion, offer modern transportation choices and preserve our spectacular open spaces by upgrading Arizona's statewide transportation system. The Initiative builds needed highways, freeways and roads; creates rail options for commuters and travelers; and protects our environment by creating better bike paths, walkways, and safer school routes. The plan imposes strict performance and accountability measures to ensure that money is being used efficiently and that the projects improve quality of life in tangible ways. These improvements to our transportation system are funded through a one cent adjustment to our statewide sales tax over 30 years.

•Proposition 300 — State Legislator's Salaries
The Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials recommends the salaries of legislators be increased to $30,000

---

MAJOR YUMA CANDIDATES
• Board of Supervisors - District 1
Lenore Loroña-Stuart (D)
• Board of Supervisors - District 2
Russell McCloud (R)
Donna Phipps (D)
• Board of Supervisors - District 3
Casey Prochaska (R)
• Board of Supervisors - District 4
David Lara (R)
Marco Antonio Reyes (D)
• Board of Supervisors - District 5
Greg Ferguson (R)
• Recorder
Robyn Stallworth Pouquette (R)
Brenda Wehrle (D)
• Treasurer
Daniel Dawson (D)
David Egeberg (R)
• Assessor
Joe Wehrle (D)
• County Attorney
Jon Smith (D)
• School Superintendent
Tom Tyree (R)
• Sheriff
Ralph Ogden (D)
• Judge of Superior Court - Division 1
Mark Wayne Reeves (D)
• Judge of Superior Court - Division 2
Andrew Gould (R)
• Judge of Superior Court - Division 6
Maria Elena Cruz (D)
John Minore (R)
• State Representative District 24
Russ Jones (R)
Lynne Pancrazi (D)
Theresa Ulmer ((D))
• State Senator District 24
Amanda Aguirre (D)
Jack Kretzer (G)
• U.S. Congress - Arizona District 7
Joseph Sweeney (R)
Raul Grijalva (D)

---

POLLING SITES

Polls for the general election will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 4.
• Precinct 1 - Yuma City Hall, One City Plaza
• Precinct 2 - Martin Luther King Jr. Neighborhood Center, 300 S. 13th Ave.
• Precinct 3 - Immaculate Conception Church, 501 S. Avenue B
• Precinct 4 - Valley Baptist Church, 3830 W. 8th St.
• Precinct 5 - Pecan Shadow Apts., Community Building, 2650 W. 3rd St.
• Precinct 6 - Oasis Church, 1545 S. Avenue C
• Precinct 7 - Immanuel Southern Baptist Church, 1000 E. 24th St.
• Precinct 8 - Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, 150 W. 28th St.
• Precinct 9 - Trinity United Methodist Church, 3030 S. 8th Ave.
• Precincts 10 and 16 - Yuma County Health Department, 2200 W. 28th St.
• Precinct 11 - Yuma Civic Center, 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive
• Precincts 12, 13 and 14 - Yuma Community Food Bank, 2325 S. Engler Ave.
• Precinct 15 - Gila Ridge High School, 7150 E. 24th St.
• Precinct 17 - Martinez Lake Fire Station, 10845 E. Martinez Lake Road
• Precinct 18 - Wellton Elementary School, 29126 E. San Jose, Wellton
• Precinct 19 - Dateland School, Avenue 64E and Easy Street, Dateland
• Precinct 20 - Mohawk Valley School, 5151 S. Avenue 39E, Roll
• Precinct 21 - Community Christian Church, 6480 E. Highway 95
• Precinct 22 - Victory Community Church, 11358 S. Avenue 9E
• Precinct 23 - Yuma East Clubhouse, 11357 E. 35th Place
• Precincts 24 and 25 - Foothills Assembly of God, 12831 E. 41st St.
• Precinct 26 - Desert Grace Community Church, 12134 E. North Frontage Road
• Precinct 27 - Britain's Chuckwagon, 4331 W. Riverside Drive
• Precinct 28 - Crane Junior. High School, 4480 W. 32nd St.
• Precinct 29 - Somerton Public Safety Building, 445 E. Main St.
• Precinct 30 - Fernando Padilla Community Center, 800 E. Juan Sanchez Blvd., San Luis
• Precinct 31 - San Luis City Hall, multipurpose room, 1090 E. Union St. • Precinct 32 - Orange Grove School, 3525 W. County 16-1/2 St.
• Precinct 33 - Yuma Mesa Irrigation and Drainage District, 14329 S. 4th Ave.
• Precinct 34 - Gila Vista Junior High School, 2245 S. Arizona Ave.
• Precinct 35 - Centennial Middle School, 2650 W. 20th St.
• Precincts 36 and 42 - Generations Church, 1535 S. 8th Ave.
• Precinct 37 - St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1550 S. 14th Ave.
• Precinct 38 - Ronald Reagan Elementary School, 3200 W. 16th St.
• Precinct 39 - Yuma County Health Department, 2200 W. 28th St.
• Precinct 40 - Vince Nelson Community Building, 2030 S. Avenue A
• Precinct 41 - Woodard Junior High School, 2250 S. 8th Ave.

---
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.