Voters across the state gear up as 'Decision Day' nears

Tuesday is election day and a number of candidates are set to go head to head for key positions in Sidney, Cheyenne County and statewide.

Polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Tuesday. Registered voters in Sidney can cast their ballots at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds, 10955 U.S. Highway 30. Voters in Gurley, Lodgepole, Potter and Union Valley will find polling places at their respective fire halls.

Many of the local races have candidates running uncontested this year. Two exceptions are the races for Sidney's city council and school board seats.

The Sidney City Council ballot consist of five candidates running for three seats. Roger Galloway, Wendall F. Gatson and Mark Nienhueser are the incumbents. Larry J. Collins and David Hrbek are the challengers.

"The reason I'm running for city council is to represent the people on the north side of Sidney," Collins said. "You don't change anything overnight, but at least if you listen to people and bring it to the table it's a start."

"I think the most important thing is for people to exercise their right to vote and be involved in the active part of the process," Galloway said. "It's about representing the community, representing the people and having the chance to be involved in making those kind of decisions."

"My mindset focuses on continuing to develop the infrastructure for Sidney's growth in the long run," Nienhueser said. "I'm running for city council to make sure Sidney has a positive future. We have a large potential for growth and I would like to see us attain that growth."

"I'm excited about all the things that are going on," Gatson said. "I think people in the community want to elect people that will do the research and make the best possible decision for everybody in the community. I think they support people who are willing to put in that work and will trust them with those decisions."

Calls and emails to Hrbek were not returned.

In the Sidney School Board's four-year term race, four candidates are running for three seats.Randy Flamig, Thomas A. Von Seggern and Janet Rosenbaum are incumbents, while Lorilei M. Stark is a challenger.

Other races on Tuesday's ballot are:

Cheyenne County Assessor, Louella D. Pippitt is running unopposed;

Cheyenne County attorney, Paul B. Schuab is running unopposed;

Cheyenne County Clerk, Beth E. Fiegenschuh is running unopposed;

Cheyenne County Clerk of the District Court, Debra A. Home is running unopposed;

Cheyenne County Sheriff, John D. Jenson is running unopposed;

Cheyenne County Surveyor, Benjamin Dayton is running opposed;

Cheyenne County Treasurer, Diane M. Scott is unopposed;

Cheyenne County Commissioner District 2, Darrell J. Johnson is running unopposed;

Cheyenne County Commissioner District 3, Philip E. Sanders is running unopposed;

Member State Board of education District 7, Robin R. Stevens is running against Molly O'Holleran;

Judge of the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court, Judge Thomas E. Stine's retention in office will be determined;

Judge of the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court, Judge Laureen Van Norman's retention in office will be determined;

Judge of the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court, Judge Michael K. High's retention on office will be determined;

Judge of the District Court District 12, Judge Travis P. O'Gorman's retention in office will be determined;

Judge of the County Court District 12 Judge Randall L. Lippstreu's retention in office will be determined;

Judge of the County Court District 12, Judge Kris Mickey's retention will be determined;

Judge of the County Court District 12, Judge James M. Worden's retention in office will be determined;

Western Community College for Board of Governors District 2, R.J. Savely Jr. is running unopposed;

South Platte Natural Resources District for Board of Directors Sub-district 2, James C. Johnson is running unopposed;

South Platte Natural Resources District for Board of Directors Sub-district 4, Phil Grabowski is running unopposed;

Educational Service Unit No. 13 for Member of the Board District 11, Donald Egging is running unopposed;

Sidney School District School Board's two-year term, Randy Miller is running unopposed;

Leyton School District School Board, Jennifer Powell, Robert N. Rushman and Ryan Lembke are running unopposed.

Potter-Dix School District School Board, Mike Rotert is running unopposed;

Potter-Dix School District School Board, Valerie K. Ball is running unopposed;

Creek Valley School District School Board, Martha Savely, Julie Koenen and Paul Dykstra are running unopposed;

Village of Dalton Board of Trustees, Weston McConnell is running unopposed; and

Village of Lodgepole Board of Trustees, Bret A. Bondegard and Alan C. Runge are running unopposed.