Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reminds citizens that today (Monday), is the last day for Registered Voters to vote early at the Auditor’s Office, in the Courthouse. The office is open until 5-p.m. A voter may register and vote Absentee as well as vote early, today. The polls are open from 7-a.m. until 9-p.m. Tuesday, for the General Election. Sunderman reminds you as well, that straight-ticket voting has been eliminated beginning with this election, meaning you cannot vote on one party or another only. Each position on the ballot must be voted on individually. Voters should anticipate it will take a little longer therefore, to mark your ballot.

Here’s a look at some of the area General Election races we’ll be following once the polls close Tuesday night:

In Adams County, Republican Douglas Birt and Democrat Marty Olive are hoping to grab the District 1 seat on the County Board of Supervisors.

In Adair County, Democrat Jodie Jean Hoadley and Doug Davidson are competing for the District 4 seat on the County Board of Supervisors.

In Audubon County, incumbent Republican Gary Van Aernam faces a challenge from Democrat Dwight Jessen for County Supervisor.

In Guthrie County, four candidates are hoping to fill two seats on the Hospital Board of Trustees: Jimmie Robson, Roberta “Bert” Simmons, Danielle Fink, and John M. Tews.

There are no contested races for office in Montgomery County during Tuesday’s election. About the closest voters will get to that, is deciding on which of the three candidates will fill two seats for the Montgomery County Hospital Board of Trustees. The candidates include Jill Bergstrom, Kevin Cabbage and Michelle Pruss.

In Pottawattamie County, there are nine candidates for three seats on the Board of Supervisors, including incumbents Scott A. Belt and Justin Schultz(Republicans), and No party (incumbent) candidate Tom Hanafan. Also in the running for the Pott. County Board, is: Republican Lynn Grobe; Democrats Glenn Hurst, Frances Parr and Marsha L. Pilger; Libertarian Robert Fairchild, and Independent candidate Don Dierks.

And in Shelby County, Republican Darin Haake, and Democrat Roger Schmitz are running for the Board of Supervisors in District 1, and there are two candidates for Clay Township Clerk. They include Steve Jacobs of Marne, and Joel Schlueter, of Elk Horn.

Other, State races to follow in western Iowa, include:

• State Representative – District 12: Republican Brian Best & Dem. Peter Leo.
• State Representative – District 22: Republican Jon Jacobsen & Dem. Ray Stevens.
• State Representative – District 15: Republican LeAnn L. Hughes & Dem. Charlie McConkey.
• State Representative – District 16: Republican Mary Ann Hanusa, Dem. Steve Gorman, and Libertarian Steve Sechrest.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — UnityPoint Health in Marshalltown says it’s eliminating several positions and closing its intensive care unit and a cafe. The company cited financial struggles and low usage of the care unit. UnityPoint Health regional marketing director Laura Rainey says the Marshalltown operation is running a $7 million deficit. The closure of the ICU and cafe will affect 15 employees. The hospital says the 15 may be able to find employment elsewhere within the UnityPoint system.

Rainey says the closest intensive care units after the Nov. 30 Marshalltown closing are in Ames and Waterloo.

Police in Creston say a woman in the 800 block of W. Jefferson Street reported over the weekend, that someone had stolen the battery out of her truck, which was parked near the residence. The incident happened sometime between midnight and 7-a.m., Saturday. The loss was estimated at $125.

The General Election takes place tomorrow (Tuesday). Here in Cass County, there are local and State races to watch. Locally, Republican Mark T. O’Brian faces a challenge from fellow Republican Pat McCurdy in the race to fill the District 2 seat on the Cass County Board of Supervisors. Both men are from Atlantic. In District 3, Republican John Hartkopf is being challenged by Dana Halder, who is running as Nominated By Petition (NBP). Hartkopf defeated Halder in a close run-off for June Primary, when Halder ran as a Republican. And, while the other main County offices are uncontested, there are six candidates running for five seats on the Agricultural Extension Council, including Chad Becker, David York, Kristi Plagman, Todd Weppler, Brad Pellett and Jeb Peck.

In the State arena, Republican Ray “Bubba” Sorensen, of Greenfield, faces a challenge from Democrat Warren Varley in the race to succeed Clel Baudler as State Representative in District 20. In District 11, incumbent Republican Tom Shipley is being challenged by Democrat Sara Ramsey. Incumbent Tom Moore is being challenged by Democrat Denise O’Brien, for House District 21, and incumbent Republican 3rd District U-S Congressman David Young is being challenged by Democrat Cindy Axne, Libertarian Bryan Jack Holder, Green Party candidate Paul Knupp, Legalize Medical Marijuana candidate Mark Elworth, Jr., and Joe Grandanette.

With the help of Radio Iowa, we’ll also be watching closely the race for Iowa Governor, Auditor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer and Secretary of Agriculture. Straight-ticket voting has been eliminated.  Each position on ballot must be individually voted. Identification (ID) must be provided prior to voting. The polls will be open in Cass County from 7-a.m. until 9-p.m.

THE VOTING CENTERS FOR THIS ELECTION WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:

1 Atlantic 1st Ward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zion Lutheran Church (811 Oak St)

2 Atlantic 2nd Ward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Atlantic Public Library (507 Poplar)

3 Atlantic 3rd Ward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cass County Community Center (805 W 10th)

4 Atlantic 4th Ward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . United Church of Christ (1607 Hazel)

5 Atlantic 5th Ward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heritage House (1200 Brookridge Circle)

6 Bear Grove, Cass Twp/Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lewis Public Library (412 W Main St, Lewis)

7 Benton, Franklin Twp/Wiota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wiota City Hall (311 Center St)

8 Brighton, Grove, Pymosa, Washington Twp/Marne . . . . Cass County Community Center (805 W 10th)

9 Edna, Victoria Twp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Massena Public Library (122 Main St, Massena)

10 Grant, Lincoln Twp /Anita. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anita Community Center (805 Main St)

11 Noble, Pleasant Twp/Griswold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Griswold Community Bldg. (601 2nd St)

12 Massena Twp/City of Massena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Massena Public Library (122 Main St, Massena)

13 Union Twp/City of Cumberland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cumberland Community Bldg. (200 W 2nd)