By Sara Strong
Rock County Auditor-Treasurer Margaret Cook expects the Tuesday general election to get a high voter turnout rate.
Considering the primaries drew 30 percent of the registered voters, Cook expects the general election to be 80 percent or more because of the concentration of local races on the ballots.
The sheriff and auditor-treasurer races haven't seen a contest for years, and the Luverne Mayor candidates have gotten attention this year. School boards and county-wide competition in other city elections will also increase voter turnout.
The 2000 elections, which included U.S. president, brought 90 percent of registered voters to the polls.
Because both Rock County auditor-treasurer candidates work in that office now, they will be kept from the ballots Tuesday to avoid the appearance of possible tampering.
To vote on Tuesday, Nov. 5, township polling places open at 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Polling locations within the cities of Rock County will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
To vote by absentee ballot, the Auditor-Treasurer's Office in the Rock County Courthouse will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To review Star Herald election coverage:
Visit our Web site at www.star-herald.com and click on the red Rock County political coverage buttons on the left side of the home page for local races.
Or see print editions of the paper that carried articles on the election: Oct. 17, school board candidates from Luverne, Ellsworth and Adrian, and state house and senate candidates; and Oct. 24, Rock County Sheriff and Luverne mayor profiles.