There were no polling sites in Knox County for the 2024 General Election, since the county is a By Mail Election County. Early ballots began to be mailed Sept. 30, and all other ballots were mailed to eligible voters on Oct. 16. Voted ballots were required to be in the Knox County Clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on November 5, to be counted. The unofficial results were known at the Knox County Courthouse late Tuesday evening.
In the 2024 General Election, Niobrara voters elected three school board members and three village board members.
Terms were up Ward Adema, Diane Teadtke, and Matt Paulsen on the Niobrara School Board, and Jeff Bauer, Jessica Nielsen, and Shane Hrbek on the Niobrara Village Board. These are all four-year terms.
On the school ticket, Adema, Teadtke and Paulsen all refiled. Non-incumbents running were Cassie Stark and Tasheena Kemp Henry. Voting results were as follows: Diane Teadtke 292, Ward Adema, 158, Matthew Paulsen, 173, Cassie Stark, 198, Tasheena Kemp Henry, 156, Write-in Totals, 4, Not Assigned, 4.
On the village ticket, Nielsen and Hrbek refiled, and non-incumbent Jacob Schaible was appointed to fill Jeff Bauer’s term, when Bauer moved out of the city limits. Non-incumbent Schaible ran on the village ticket. Voting results were as follows: Shane Hrbek, 124; Jessica Nielsen, 127; Jacob Schaible, 139; Write-In Totals: 6, Not Assigned, 6.
Many of the state and local races, including the Niobrara School Board, did not have enough candidates file to have the races placed on the May 14 Primary Election ballots and these races automatically advanced to the Nov. 5 General Election ballot.
Terms are up for Linda Rae Starlin, DeWayne Wabasha, and Janelle Whipple on the Santee School Board. Those who have filed include Duane Wabasha, incumbent and non-incumbents, Danielle LaPointe, Larry I. Thomas and Sidney A. Tuttle, Sr. This race automatically advanced to the Nov. 5 General Election. Results were: DeWayne Wabashaw, 50; Danielle LaPointe, 38; Larry Thomas, 47; Sidney Tuttle Sr., 53; Write-In Totals, 14; Not Assigned, 14.
Terms are up for Susan Kitto, Natalie Torrez and Donald R. LaPointe, Sr. on the Santee Village Board. Results were: Susie Kitto, 56; Natalie Torrez, 39; Write-in totals: 35, Not Assigned, 35.
Terms are up for Jim Johnson and Thomas Miller on the Verdel Village Board. Miller was appointed to fill Robert Motacek’s position, after Motacek passed away. Incumbent Miller filed and non-incumbent Gregory R. Bellar also filed. This race also automatically advanced to the General Election ballot. Results: Gregory Bellar, 8; Thomas Miller, 10.
Results of the Presidential Ticket were: Republican, Trump/Vance: 3,588; Democrat, Harris/Walz, 785;
Lib. Oliver/ter Maat;, 35; Lmn. West/Abdullah , 14; Pet Stein/Kpadenou, 8.
Results of the U.S. Senatorial Ticket were: (Six year): Rep. Deb Fischer, 3,219; Pet. Dan Osborn, 1,160; Write-in Totals: 8; Not Assigned, 8.
(Two Year) Rep. Pete Ricketts, 3,721; Dem. Preston Love Jr., 662, Write-Ins 8, Not Assigned, 8.
Results of the Congressional Ticket were: Results of the County Ticket were: Rep. Adrian Smith, 3,663; Dem. Daniel Ebers, 635; Write-In totals: 6, Not Assigned, 6.
The official full election report will be available in the next edition.