Burleigh and Morton county auditors are expecting a good turnout for an "off-year" election as some local races draw voters to the polls Tuesday.

Secretary of State Al Jaeger said that statewide, the election differs from past corresponding "off year" elections - no presidential nor gubernatorial race - with the addition of four state constitutional races on the ballot. These include Jaeger's job along with tax commissioner, attorney general and agriculture commissioner.

"One of the reasons for moving more constitutional offices to the off year was to create more interest in the election," Jaeger said. "Usually we would have two or three statewide races, now we have six or seven."

During an election where neither the presidency or governor's office are at stake, North Dakota averages about a 50 percent turnout of eligible voters, Jaeger said. In an election where the president and governor are on the ballot, North Dakotans turn out in the 60 percent to 65 percent range. The census indicates there are about 487,000 eligible voters in the state. Jaeger said he is hoping for a 55 percent turnout at the polls or about 270,000 ballots cast.

"I do know that in the Red River Valley there is a local initiative having to do with energy that could be a driving force for voters there," Jaeger said. "The other thing, Measure Number 3, has raised a lot of discussion, that might cause some people to go to the polls that normally do not."

Burleigh County auditor-treasurer Kevin Glatt holds one of two county offices in which the incumbent is running unopposed. The other is state's attorney Richard Riha. Also unopposed on the no-party ballot are Supreme Court Justice Dale Sandstrom, and South Central District Court judges Sonna Anderson, Bruce Haskell and Bruce Romanick.

Perhaps the race gaining the most attention in Burleigh County is a rematch of the 2002 sheriff candidates, incumbent Steve Berg versus challenger Patrick Heinert.

There are six candidates vying for three county commission seats, as incumbents Doug Schonert and Scott Johnson attempt to hold on to their seats at the commission table against four challengers, Jim Peluso, Mark Armstrong, Mike Seminary and Maxine Olson-Hill. With longtime commissioner Claus Lemke not running for re-election, there is sure to be at least one new face at county commission meetings.

With Olson-Hill retiring as Burleigh recorder, there are two hopefuls running to replace her, Duane Jacobson and Debbie Kroshus.

Districts 35 and 47 in Burleigh will be electing senators and representatives to serve in the upcoming legislative session. In District 35, Republican Margaret Sitte faces off against Democrat-NPLer Tracy Potter for the Senate, and in District 47 its Republican Ralph Kilzer versus Democrat-NPL Nicole Tribitt.

Democrats Michael Frohlich and Ryan Gustafson and Republicans Karen Karls and Bob Martinson are running for two District 35 House seats. Republicans George Kelser and Lawrence Klemin and Democrats Kameran Ali and Paul Wilkins II are running for two District 47 House seats.

"It's important for voters to take responsibility to find out where their polling place is before leaving the house to go vote," Glatt said. "Every precinct is provided with maps, however in those areas along city limits - inside and outside - it's not always the easiest thing to determine where someone should go vote."

Glatt said that by going to the county's Web site at www.Co.burleigh.nd.us, there is a precinct finder and all a person has to do is type in their address to find out what precinct they're in and where they vote. Voters also can call in to the auditor-treasurer's office to find out.

In and adjacent to Bismarck city limits, polls open a 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m., though if you're in line to vote at 7 p.m. you will be allowed to cast your ballot. Rural precincts don't open until 9 a.m., but also close at 7 p.m.

Glatt said he is estimating between 28,000 and 30,000 votes will be cast. The office has had requests for 4,300 absentee ballots and as of Wednesday, 3,083 had been turned in.

"That's higher than normal for an 'off-year' election," Glatt said. "There's been a marked increase this week."

The Morton County election for sheriff also is drawing a lot of interest from residents. Again, it's a rematch of 2002 candidates, incumbent Bob Erhardt and challenger Dave Shipman.

Morton County incumbents Jim Boehm and Robert "Bob" Christensen and first-time candidates Andy Zachmeier and Bernie Stein are running for two seats.

Carrole Schaner and Leon Samuel are first-time candidates running to fill the Morton County recorder position. While Mary Olsen is challenging long-time treasurer Vicki Lippert.

Running unopposed are auditor Paul Trauger, state's attorney Allen Koppy and Soil Conservation District supervisor Ted Becker.

Morton and Mandan voters also will be asked to decide on whether to combine the services of the Mandan Library and Morton County Library. There will be separate ballots with both the Mandan ballot and Morton ballot needing a simple majority to pass the measure.

Mandan voters also will get a separate ballot as part of the Mandan recall election. They will choose between incumbent Ken LaMont, Susan Beehler and Wes Eisenmann for mayor. In the city commissioner race, challenger Kathy Parkes and incumbents Dan Ulmer and Sandy Tibke will run for two commission seats.

In Morton's District 31, Democrat Aaron Krauter and Republican Dennis Renner are running for state Senate. Republicans Carson Kouba and Charles Murphy and Democrats James Kersman and Rodney Froelich are running for House seats.

In District 33, Republican Randy Christmann and Democrat John Mahoney are running for state Senate. Democrats Mike Quinn and Kevin Herrmann and Republicans Brenda Heller and Gary Kreidt are running for the House.

Trauger said he is estimating between 10,000 and 11,000 ballots will be cast, just short of the 12,000 ballots for the last presidential election. In Morton, voters in Precinct 17 of District 31 and Precinct 32 of District 33 will vote at the county shop rather than at the Seven Seas. The county shop is located about a mile north of the Seven Seas, turning west on 37th Street.

Also, Precinct 8 will vote at the multipurpose room at the Mandan municipal golf course on Highway 6.

Morton has had about 1,400 absentee ballot requests and the large majority had been returned as of Wednesday, Trauger said. In the last presidential election, the county had 2,200 absentee ballots.

Statewide races include:

3 U.S. senator:James Germalic, independent; incumbent Kent Conrad, Democrat-NPL; Roland Riemers, independent; and Dwight Grothberg, Republican.

3 U.S. Representative: Matt Mechtel, Republican; incumbent Earl Pomeroy, Democratic-NPL.

3 Commissioner of agriculture: Roger Johnson, Democratic-NPL; and Doug Goehring, Republican.

3 Public Service Commission: Tony Clark, Republican; and Cheryl Bergian, Democratic-NPL.

3 Tax commissioner: Cory Fong, Republican; and Brent Edison, Democratic-NPL.

3 Secretary of state:Kristin Hedger, Democratic-NPL; Alvin Jaeger, Republican.

3 Attorney general: Wayne Stenehjem, Republican; Bill Brudvik, Democratic-NPL.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)