By Gene Kemmeter

Wisconsin voters return to the polls Tuesday, April 2, mainly to elect their closest form of representation, local officials. This is usually the smallest election of the two-year election cycle, a time when only one statewide election will regularly take place, that of a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice. That’s why turnout is traditionally low.

This year there’s a contest for the justice position to replace Shirley Abrahamson, the first woman on the court who is retiring after her term ends July 31. She was appointed to the position in 1976 and re-elected to four more 10-year terms, a total of 43 years.

Brian Hagedorn and Lisa Neubauer, both members of the Court of Appeals for District 3, are seeking Abrahamson’s position.

Incumbent Court of Appeals Judge Jennifer Nashold is seeking uncontested re-election to her District 4 seat, which is the Court of Appeals for Portage County. That is the only other election throughout the county.

Election of board of education members for school districts are the only local elections that extend beyond municipal boundaries. The county’s largest district, the Stevens Point Area Public School District, has six candidates seeking three positions. They are incumbents Barb Portzen and Jeffery Ebel; and newcomers Kurt Pulvermacher, Gee Pope, Ann Vang and Jodi L. Rentfrow. Voters may vote for three candidates.

The city of Stevens Point has an election every April for alderpersons on its Common Council. Voters elect representatives in even-numbered districts in even-numbered years and in odd-numbered districts in odd-numbered years.

The incumbents are the only candidates in two districts, Mary Kneebone in District 7 and Shaun Morrow in District 11. In District 3, Amelia DelGreco announced she was withdrawing from the race against incumbent Cindy Nebel, but her name remains on the ballot.

There are three races, in Districts 1, 5 and 9. Incumbent Tori Jennings is challenged by Shannon K. Semmerling in 1; incumbent Meleesa Johnson is facing Brian Jurgella in 5; and incumbent Mary E. McComb is challenged by Polly Dalton in 9.

Also on the ballot in Stevens Point are uncontested races for mayor and city clerk. Incumbent Mayor Mike Wiza is seeking a second four-year term. City Clerk Paul Piotrowski, who was appointed to that position last fall, is seeking a four-year term.

The county’s villages are also holding elections for village trustees, while some towns have elections for town supervisors.

The April election gives voters the decision to select one of their neighbors to represent them for the next term. These individuals are running as non-partisans, not candidates of political parties that seldom see eye-to-eye on issues.

Local officials have control over most local issues and work more closely with residents to address those items. They take care of local roads and policing, and each vote has more of an impact on the election.

Is voting a right, a privilege, a duty or a responsibility? Voting should be exercised regularly, not something to take for granted. Failing to vote is a slap in the face to your neighbor. Local officials deserve those votes for the time they devote for service to the community.