Local races, measure on ballot

Voters will cast their ballots in the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election by either going to the polls or by ensuring their absentee ballots arrive to be counted. 
Polling locations for Hettinger County precincts will be at the Enchanted Castle, 607 Main Ave. S., Regent; the Memorial Hall, 925 Main St., New England; and the Mott Armory, 507 Brown Ave., Mott. Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 3.
Locally, voters will decide legislative races and fill county government seats, along with deciding on a county measure. (See related story.)
The only contested Hettinger County race is to serve as sheriff, with two candidates on the ballot. Incumbent Sarah Warner served as sheriff for 16 years and with the office prior to becoming sheriff. She is being challenged by Anthony Awender, who has served as a deputy with the Stark County Sheriff’s Office since 2020.
Prior to the June primary election, the Hettinger County Herald reached out to both candidates with a list of questions, to which each replied. Here, we share each candidate’s response to one of those questions, “Why are you seeking the office of sheriff in this election cycle?”
Warner’s response: "I believe the citizens of Hettinger County deserve to have someone who is consistent and knows what is happening in their communities. Someone who is open to new ideas and supports those on the team to better their careers. Someone who works alongside our ambulance services and volunteer fire departments, who provide for our citizens. Someone who is mindful of a budget and does not take lightly who provides for our funding. Someone who is thankful for living in a county that backs law enforcement and is willing to assist when we need help. It has been a true honor to serve and protect Hettinger County for the past 20 years. I would appreciate the opportunity to continue serving as sheriff for the next four years."
Awender’s response: "I have been thinking of running for sheriff since I started working in law enforcement and I feel the time is right for me and my family. I am not getting any younger and when I mentioned the idea to some people in the community, I received good feedback. I have served the residents of Stark County since I moved to Hettinger County as all my employment has been in Dickinson. I feel the time is right for me to come home to protect and serve the residents of Hettinger County."

How to vote
Applications for absentee ballots must be requested from the auditor’s office, and voters are reminded of deadlines to make sure their absentee ballots are returned properly.
There are three options to return an absentee ballot to the Hettinger County auditor:  
• By mail: Your ballot must be received by the Hettinger County auditor before 7 p.m. MT Nov. 3, which is the close of polls on Election Day.
• Hand delivered: Give your enveloped ballot to the Hettinger County auditor before 7 p.m. MT Nov. 3.
• Deposit your enveloped ballot in the Hettinger County dropboxes before 7 p.m. MT Nov. 3. The dropboxes are located on the north side of the Hettinger County courthouse in Mott, at the Regent City Hall and at the New England City Hall.
Absentee ballots will not be accepted by election workers at the polling locations on Election Day. Do not request an absentee ballot if you intend to vote at the polls on Election Day.
Voters are reminded if they make a mistake on a ballot, they are allowed to ask for a new ballot.
Everything voters need to know about how to cast a ballot for the Nov. 3 general election is available on the N.D. secretary of state’s website at sos.nd.gov.
Choose “Voter” on the “Elections” dropdown list. Click on “Voter” and a screen with voter information will open. This screen includes the state measures, how to apply for an absentee ballot, election history, how to mark a ballot and other information.
Voters can track their absentee ballots at www.sos.nd.gov. Enter your first and last name, and your date of birth, then search. Your results will tell you when your absentee ballot was mailed from the auditor’s office. If you have returned your ballot, the date the ballot was received by the auditor’s office will show in the status. If your affidavit envelope was not signed or you are a voter who will not turn 18 until soon before the election, the status will show “UNDER REVIEW.” If no issues exist, the status will be show “ACCEPTED.” The enveloped ballot is then ready for the election board to process.
Update your driver’s license at least one week before voting on Election Day. It takes at least two days for the change to filter through the N.D. Department of Transportation database to the election database. If you have recently moved, and your physical photo identification has a different address than that of your residence, bring additional proof of residence address.