Voters cast ballots in dozens of local races and answered several questions on Tuesday's ballot.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY:
Voters in Effingham County said yes to dissolving the Heartville Water District. They also elected Democrat Douglas McCain to represent District G of the County Board.
FRANKLIN COUNTY:
Republicans won three of the four contested races in Franklin County.
Greg Woolard won the County Clerk's race, Neil Hargis County Board - District 1, and Jack Warren County Board - District 3. The lone democrat to win was David Rea in the County Board - District 2 race.
Voters in West Frankfort also said no to home rule with 70-percent voting against the proposal.
JACKSON COUNTY:
In Jackson County, Sharon Harris-Johnson won the Treasurer's race. The Democrat defeated Republican Steve Voorhees with 53% of the vote.
Democrat Larry Reinhardt will remain the County Clerk. He received 66% of the vote in defeating the GOP's Robert Perring.
The County Commission races went to Republican Andrew Erbes in district 2, Republican Emily Burke in District 3, the GOP's Steven Bost for a 2-year term in District 3, and Democrat John Rendleman in District 5.
Voters in Elkville said no to home rule, but yes to a 1% tax levy increase.
JEFFERSON COUNTY:
In the Sheriff's race, Democrat Travis Allen defeated Republican John Lewis. Allen advanced to the November election by defeating incumbent Sheriff Roger Mulch in the March primary.
In County Board races Steve Draege won the District One seat with Jeff Williams (not WSIU's Jeff Williams) winning in District Six and Justin Fulkerson winning the District Seven seat.
An advisory question asking if the Jefferson County Board shall return all monies taken from the public safety sales tax that were used for any purpose other than for the retirement of the jail bonds, passed.
Voters also acted on several school questions. School issues for Bluford District 114, Dodd District 7, Webber Township District 204 and Woodlawn District 4 all passed. A similar question for Farrington District-99, and school tax issues for McClellan District-12 and Grand Prairie District 6 failed.
JOHNSON COUNTY:
Charles Harner is the new sheriff of Johnson County. He succeeds Elry Faulkner, who is retiring after 40 years. Faulkner is the longest-serving sheriff in Illinois history.
Republican Fred Meyers won the County Commission race over democrat Jeff Mears.
Johnson County voters also said no a 1% sales tax increase for public facilities.
PERRY COUNTY:
Republicans won both contested races in Perry County.
Steve Bareis won the Sheriff's race over Keith Kellerman and Mary Jane Craft narrowly defeated Bill Taylor for county Treasurer.
RANDOLPH COUNTY:
Two extremely tight races highlighted the election in Randolph County.
For sheriff, Democrat Shannon Wolff edged republican Michael Hoelscher by 179 votes with over 11,000 votes cast.
For county Treasurer, Democrat Justin Jeffers defeated the GOP's Sheri Zweigart-Greene by 115 votes with over 11,000 votes cast.
Democratic incumbent Pat Laramore won re-election as County Clerk and Republican Ronnie White was elected to the county commission.
UNION COUNTY:
There was only one contested race in Union County.
Democrat Scott Harvel won the sheriff's race with 67% of the vote over republican Roy Walker.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY:
Williamson County voters cast more than 20,000 ballots and decided two contested races in the county. County commission Chair, Republican Ron Ellis, won re-election by defeating democratic challenger Dennis Falmier.
Williamson County Clerk Amanda Barnes won her first full term with her victory over Liz Lively. Barnes was appointed to the post two years ago following the retirement of Saundra Jent.
Williamson County Sheriff Bennie Vick and County Treasurer Brinson Venable ran unopposed.
