Voters head to the polls Tuesday

Voters in the New Prague area will join others across the nation Tuesday, Nov. 2, by going to the polls to select leaders at the national, state, county and local levels.

New Prague voters will choose a mayor and city council members and vote on a $3.5 million bond referendum for an athletic complex and park improvements. Heidelberg will also choose a mayor and city council members, and voters in Lonsdale will decide on a two-part bond referendum totalling $4.8 million, for a community center.

Two county commissioner seats are on the ballot in Le Sueur and Scott counties and, due to court-ordered redistricting, all five commissioners’ seats are on the ballot in Rice County. There are also soil and water conservation director seats up for election in each county.

Voters throughout Minnesota will choose from among candidates for two year terms in the state House of Representatives and in Congress. There will also be various judicial elections for district court, the state court of appeals and the Supreme Court.

And of course, the contest that has been getting the most attention is for president. President George W. Bush is seeking a second four-year term and is being challenged by Sen. John Kerry.

Polling places across the state will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. It is too late to pre-register to vote, but Minnesota does allow registration at the polls on Election Day.

According the the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website, you will need one of the following to register on election day:

• Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit, identification card, or receipt for one, with your current address

• Tribal ID where authorized, with your current address

• If the Minnesota license or ID has a former address, you may bring a recent utility bill to use with your license. The utility bill must have your name, current address, and be due within 30 days of the election. Utility bills may be for electric, gas, water, solid waste, sewer, telephone, or cable TV.

• “Notice of Late Registration” postcard

• U.S. passport with utility bill

• U.S. military photo ID card with utility bill

• A student can use a student ID, registration, or fee statement with your current address, a student photo ID with utility bill, or a student ID if they are on a student housing list on file at the polling place

Voters can also register if they bring along someone who is already registered in the precinct where they live who will vouch for their residence.

Absentee votes

You can vote by absentee ballot if you are unable to vote in person on election day because you are away from home, ill or disabled, an election judge serving in another precinct or unable to go to the polling place due to a religious holiday or beliefs.

With absentee voting, you can vote either in person before election day or by mail. Ballots must be received by November 2.

To vote in person, apply and/or vote during normal office hours or from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday or until 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1.

For information on absentee voting contact your county auditor’s office: Scott County, 952-496-8560; Le Sueur County, 507-357-2251; Rice County, 507-332-6104.

Here is a listing of area polling places:

Le Sueur County:

New Prague Ward I: New Prague Library, 400 East Main Street.

Heidelberg: City Hall, 31552 181 Ave.

Lanesburgh Township: Town Garage, 31498 State Hwy 13.

Derrynane Township: 31225 249th Lane (St. Thomas).

Scott County:

New Prague Ward II: City Hall, 118 Central Ave. N.

New Market city: New Market Area Hall, 601 Main Street.

Belle Plaine Township: Town Garage, 25130 Hickory Blvd (County Road 5)

Cedar Lake Township: St. Patrick’s Social Hall, 24425 Old Hwy 13 Blvd.

Helena Township: St. Benedict School, 24981 St. Benedict Road.

New Market Township: New Market Area Hall, 601 Main Street.

Rice County

Lonsdale: City Hall Council Chambers, 415 Central Street W.

Webster Township: Town Hall, 4020 Delano Ave.

Wheatland Township: Town Hall, 9788 50th St. W. (Veseli)