Voters will have the opportunity to make their voices known at the upcoming primary election.

According to Nodaway County Clerk Beth Walker, regular polling places in each precinct of the county will be open between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5.

"As with all elections, it is important that voters express their opinions at the polling place," Hann said. "Be sure and have identification ready and be prepared to choose a party ballot."

Voters will be required to vote for the party of their choice at the primary election and the winners from the August primary will move on to the November general election.

Hann reports voter turnout in Nodaway County for the August primary in 2004 was 41.97 percent and in 2006 it was 31.23 percent. She said she anticipates around 35 to 40 percent of the county's registered voters to go to the polls in August 2008.

In 2004, there were 354 absentee votes for the August primary and in 2006 there were 283. To date, there are 192 absentee votes for the upcoming August primary.
Voters can vote absentee in the county clerk's office through this week –– 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 2; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4.

Below are the area candidates who will appear on the August 5 primary ballot.
County sheriff
Democratic candidates:
• Donald Piveral, Jr. –– Piveral is a 44-year-old Nodaway County native. He has lived and worked in Nodaway County all his life –– 22 years with the public. He has eight years experience as a Nodaway County sheriff deputy. Piveral is married, has two sons and two grandchildren.
• Darren White –– White has been involved in law enforcement for more than 20 years in Nodaway County, and has some experience in business and emergency medicine. White is currently serving as Deputy Chief of Police for Plattsburg, Mo. White is a family man with three children.
The winning candidate from the Democratic ticket will face off against Nodaway County Sheriff Ben Espey, Republican candidate.

Collector-treasurer
Democratic candidates:
• Marilyn Jenkins –– Jenkins has worked with Noel in the Collector/Treasurer's office as deputy collector for more than a year.
 Prior to working in the Collector/Treasurer office, Jenkins worked in the Assessor's office as deputy assessor for two years. Jenkins is a Nodaway County native. She has four sons and three grandchildren.
• Larry Loghry –– Loghry has lived in Maryville 27 years –– 21 of those years he has worked in the banking industry. He graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with an agri-business degree. He has served as treasurer for the Maryville Chamber of Commerce. Loghry and his wife, Jackie, have two children.
Republic candidates:
• W. Lewis Rice –– Rice is a 1974 graduate of Maryville High School. He is currently employed CVS Pharmacy in St. Joseph. In the past Rice dealt with a $14 million budget while working as manager of Dollar General stores, as well as being treasurer of many civic organizations. Rice and his wife have three children as well as being owners of Movie Magic in Maryville.
• Michael Striplin –– Striplin, 38, has been a resident of Nodaway County for four years. He currently works at Northwest as a warehouse supervisor under the purchasing umbrella. He worked for Ford Corp. six years as superintendent of operations in charge of shipping and receiving. zStriplin and his wife, Gayla, have three children.
The winning candidate for Nodaway County Collector/Treasurer will follow Mary Noel's run of more than 20 years in the office.
The winners of the Democratic and Republican races will face off in the November general election.

North district commissioner
Republican candidates:
• Deborah Derr –– Derr is a lifelong resident of Nodaway County. She attended the University of Missouri, Columbia. In previous years she was an accountant for MFA, Inc. In recent years, besides co-managing their farm, Derr has worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a part time rural carrier and postmaster. Derr and her husband have four children and live in Burlington Junction.
• Bob Westfall –– Westfall is running for his second term as North District Commissioner. Westfall is a Maryville native. He was previously employed in the pipeline industry for 35 years. He has had training in community relations, emergency response and hazard management. He is a veteran of the Viet Nam War and a member of the American Legion Post #100. He and his wife, Carolyn, have three children and two grandchildren.
The winner of the Democratic race will face off against Republican candidate Robert Ritterbusch in the November general election.

Primary election unopposed candidates
• Vincent L. Shelby, Republican candidate for Nodaway County Coroner, took over as coroner in January 2005. He is running for his second term.
• Jeff Bram is the Democratic candidate for Nodaway County Coroner.
Both Shelby and Bram are running unopposed in the August primary, but will face off in the general election in November.

Primary and general election
unopposed candidates
• Democrat candidate for South District Commissioner Bob Stiens.
• Public Administrator: Diane Thomsen.
• Assessor: Rex L. Wallace.   

State level candidates
Vying for positions on the State level are the following:
• Governor: Republican candidates Scott Long, Sarah Steelman, Kenny Hulshof, Jennie Lee Schwartze Sievers; Democratic candidates Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon, Daniel Carroll; Libertarian candidate Andrew D. Finkenstadt.
• Lieutenant Governor: Republican candidates Peter Kinder, Paul Douglas Sims, Arthur Hodge, Sr.; Democratic candidates Sam Page, Michael E. Carter, Richard Charles Tolbert, Becky L. Plattner, Mary Williams, C. Lillian Metzger; Libertarian candidate Teddy Fleck.
• Secretary of State: Republican candidate Mitchell (Mitch) Hubbard; Democratic candidate Robin Carnahan; Libertarian candidate Wes Upchurch.
• State Treasurer: Republican candidate Brad Lager; Democratic candidates Mark Powell, Clint Zweifel, Andria Danine Simckes, Charles B. Wheeler.
• Attorney General: Republican candidate Mike Gibbons; Democratic candidates Chris Koster, Margaret Donnelly, Jeff Harris, Molly Williams.
• U.S. Representative in Congress Sixth District: Republican candidate: Sam Graves; Democratic candidate Kay Barnes, Ali Allon Sherkat; Libertarian candidate Dave Browning.
• Fourth District State Representative: Republican candidate Mike Thomson; Democratic candidate Rick Oswald.