Early voting begins Monday

Voters in Portland, Dunkirk and Pennville can begin casting their ballots next week.

Early voting in municipal primary elections will begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday at Jay County Courthouse with just four contested races, including Republican battles for the nomination for mayor of Portland and mayor of Dunkirk.

Early voting will run from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning Monday and continuing through April 28 in the voting room just inside the south door of the courthouse. It will also be available from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays April 22 and April 29, and from 8:30 a.m. to noon May 1.

The polls will be open for election day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 2 with polling places as follows: precincts Dunkirk 1 and Dunkirk 3 at West Jay Community Center; Wayne 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 at Jay Community Center; and Penn at Pennville Community Center.

Contested elections for primary include races for the Republican nomination for mayor in the county’s two cities. In Portland, incumbent John Boggs is facing three challengers — Todd Wickey, Jeff Westlake and Joel Smitley. In Dunkirk, Jay Miller and Alden Glessner are squaring off in hopes of taking on incumbent Democrat Jack Robbins in the general election.

Dunkirk is the only community with multiple contested races as incumbent Republican Kevin Hamilton is facing a challenge from Randy Murphy for the nomination for the District 1 seat on city council.

Continued from page 1

In Pennville, incumbent Republican clerk-treasurer Krista Scholer is facing a challenge for the party’s nomination from Lindsay Wright.

Jay County Election Board eliminated primary elections in Redkey and Bryant as there are no contested races.

Uncontested candidates are:

Portland

Democrats — Incumbent Lori Aker-Phillips for clerk-treasurer; incumbent Dave Golden for city council at-large; Judy Aker for city council District 5

Republicans — Incumbent Donald Gillespie for Portland City Court judge, Larry Nuckols and Ashley Hilfiker for city council at-large (two seats); Goldsworthy for city council District 1; incumbent Michele Brewster for city council District 3 and Ron May for city council District 4

Mike Aker, an independent, filed to run for Portland City Council District 2. Independents do not appear on the primary ballot.

Dunkirk

Democrats — Incumbent Jack Robbins for mayor; incumbent Tina Elliott for Dunkirk clerk-treasurer and Donna Revolt for city council District 2

Republicans — Dan Watson for city council at-large, Jacqueline Miller for city council District 2, incumbent Jesse Bivens for city council District 3 and incumbent Christy Curts for city council District 4



Redkey

Democrats — Incumbent Mary Eley for clerk-treasurer and “Watermellon” Jim Phillips for town council at-large

Republicans — Gloria May for clerk-treasurer



Pennville

Republicans — Joshua Miller for town council at-large



Bryant

Republicans — Carrie Minnich for clerk-treasurer, and Gregg Ellenberger and Randall Boice for town council at-large (three seats)