Red Willow County Clerk Pauletta Gerver said officials are expecting a record turnout for the Nov. 4 general election.

Already, a large number of absentee ballots have been requested from her office, Gerver said. These will be sent out as soon as her office receives them from the state, probably sometime next week, she said.

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Local races are also heating up, with election yard signs popping up across the city.

Public offices up for grabs this year include those on the McCook School Board, McCook City Council and the Middle Republican Natural Resources District.

Voters will elect three board members for McCook School District 17, each for a four-year term. Incumbents include Tom Bredvick, Mike Gonzales and Diane Lyons. Challengers are Traci Loker and Maury Green.

On the McCook City Council, two, four-year terms are up for election. Incumbents are Aaron Kircher and Jack Rogers, facing non-incumbent Mike O'Dell

A total of nine candidates will vie for the five, four-year Board of Director positions on the MRNRD. These include incumbents Stan Moore of Bartley, Joe Anderjaska of Hayes Center and Jerry Mustion and Rick Spencer, both of Culbertson. Non-incumbents are Buck Haag of Bartley, James Coady of McCook, Rick McConville of Indianola, Clint Schafer of Culbertson and James Uerling of Indianola.

Southwest Public Schools has a total of four board member positions open, three for four-year terms and one for a two-year term.

Candidates for the three year terms include incumbents Steve Daffer, Crinda McConville and Duane Teter. Tom Sughroue is the lone candidate for the two-year term.

Positions up for election on the Bartley Village Board of Trustees include two, four-year terms. Those filing for re-electiona are current office holders Larry Blackman and Jim Morris, with challengers Gary Newcomb and Gregory Shumaker.

The Danbury Board of Trustees also has two, four-year terms open. Incumbents Ardie Berr and Eugene K. Axtell are the only candidates.

High Plains Radio will host a candidate forum for the public Tuesday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m. at the Bieroc Cafe, 312 Norris Ave. The Gazette will participate.