CENTRE – Voters in Cherokee County and across Alabama will head to the polls next Tuesday, June 1. Local Democratic and Republican primaries feature a host of races, as well.

Local party leaders, excited about their prospects, are hoping for a good turnout.

“There is a great deal of activity in the Republican primary in 2010,” said local GOP chairwoman Lori Owens.

Tax assessor, Johnny Roberts, who also serves as the county's Democratic Party chairman, says voter participation will play a crucial role in which of his party's candidates move on to the November general election.

“Turnout is going to be key,” Roberts told The Post.

On the Democratic side, primary races of particular notice involve the Cherokee County Commission and the judgeship for the 9th Judicial Circuit.

Local plumber and Board of Education member Don Stowe is challenging Commissioner Kimball Parker for the District 2 seat on the Commission. In the judge's race, two-term incumbent Kevin Grimes is facing a challenge from Jeremy Taylor, a former prosecutor in the office of District Attorney Mike O'Dell.

Voters in the area of Cherokee County that is represented by state Senate District 13 will choose between Russell Emrick and Greg Varner. Incumbent Kim Benefield is retiring from politics.

On the state level, Democratic voters will choose between Ron Sparks and Artur Davis for governor, and William Barnes and Simone De Moore for United States Senate.

Also on the ballot are three candidates for Alabama attorney general and two for state treasurer.

Roberts said his party typically waits until after the primary to support local candidates.“We will run some ads before the election encouraging people to vote,” Roberts said. “Then, after June 1, we'll all start working together towards November 2.”

In the GOP race, there will be seven candidates on the ballot for the office being vacated by Gov. Bob Riley. Hank Erwin, Kay Ivey and Gene Ponder are on the ticket for lieutenant governor, and Sen. Richard Shelby will face off against Clint Moser.

George Wallace, Jr, is up against Young Boozer for state treasurer.

Republican voters will also choose between Attorney General Troy King and challenger Luther Strange, along with spots for the state Supreme Court, Public Service Commission.

“A number of the candidates have been to our county in the last year or so, and citizens have had the opportunity to learn more about their platforms,” Owens said. “Even if people did not have the chance to hear them speak, they can study the issues profiled by the candidates before casting their vote on June 1.”

Amendment one will be on both party ballots, and will ask voters to allow the Legislature to finance promotion program by assessing a fee on propane gas suppliers.

Voters in Cedar Bluff will head to the town's Community Center to take part in the town's second wet-dry referendum this decade.

Voters approved sales in August 2003, but multiple court challenges have cast a shadow over the vote's legality ever since.

Town officials hope the outcome on June 1 will settle the matter once and for all.
A spokesperson with the Registrars Office said there are no changes to polling places anywhere in the county since the last election. Newly registered voters who have questions about polling locations can call 256-927-5336.

Absentee ballots are available in the office of Circuit Clerk Dwayne Amos through May 27. For questions about qualifying to vote absentee, call 256-927-3340 or visit http://9jc.alacourt.gov/cherokee.