The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.


Five Referenda Decided At Primary Election In County

Hancock County voters will decide five referenda at the February 5, 2008 Primary Election, according to Hancock County Clerk Kerry Asbridge. But there are no local offices that are contested.

Polls in Illinois and Hancock County are open from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. across the county, in 35 precincts, when voters will select their parties ballot to pick their candidate.

All referenda in Hancock County which will be decided at the February 5, 2008 Primary Election require a simple majority of votes cast to pass. Voters may request a Nonpartisan Ballot if he or she does not wish to vote in a party primary.

Warsaw School District No. 316 voters will decide a proposition to deactivate the junior high school.

Nauvoo-Colusa School District No. 325 votes will decide a proposition to deactivate the high school.

Carthage Park District voters will decide a proposition to establish a general corporate tax with a maximum rate of 25 cents. The present maximum rate is 10 cents, and yielded $25,080 in 2007. A 25 cent rate would have yielded an additional $37,620.

City of Hamilton voters will decide two propositions concerning a potential community building. One proposition would establish a community building tax with a maximum rate of 7 1/2 cents. A 7 1/2 cent rate would have yielded approximately $25,300 in 2007.

The second City of Hamilton proposition is an advisory question. The question asks voters their opinion on whether a community building should be constructed on North 18th Street in Hamilton.

Any close elections may not be decided until February 19th due to the fact that absentee ballots are now permitted to float in for two weeks after the election.

Hancock County has 266 ballot styles for this election. Asbridge said, "We are expecting first return by 8:00 p.m."