The primary election is nearly here, with polls opening at 7 a.m. Tuesday in four Stutsman County locations.

Tuesday’s primary will offer North Dakotans the chance to vote on four statewide measures, select candidates for a number of local positions and narrow down hopefuls in their political party prior to November’s general election.

“Every election is so important, whether it be a primary or general election,” said Al Jaeger, North Dakota secretary of state. “This gives people the opportunity to express their desire about controversial measures and vote for who they want to represent them in many capacities.”

What’s being voted on

There are three different parts of the primary ballot for voters — the party ballot, the no-party ballot and the measure ballot.

There are two contested races on the party ballot, each of which is on the Republican side for U.S. Congress. For District 12 voters, there is also a contested Republican race for the North Dakota Senate.

Rep. Rick Berg, R-N.D., is opposing Duane Sand for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.

Kevin Cramer and Brian Kalk are the two options for the Republican nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives.

The race for the District 12 Republican nomination for state Senate is between Dwaine Heinrich and Bernie Satrom. The winner will advance to the November election against uncontested Democratic candidate John Grabinger.

On the no-party ballot, there are three contested races for Jamestown voters to decide on: City Council and Jamestown Public School Board, rural and city.

For the City Council, six candidates are vying for three seats: Charlie Kourajian (incumbent), Jodi Mjoen, Steve Brubakken, Dan Buchanan, Samuel Upton and Jacqueline Dotzenrod.

For the Jamestown Public School Board’s rural seat, two candidates are running for one seat: Terry Anderson and Melissa Gleason.

For the School Board’s three open city seats, four candidates are vying for the openings: incumbents Gail Martin and Diane Hanson and Dina Laskowski and Roger Haut.

http://us-senators.com/2012/06/voters-going-to-the-polls-tuesday/