Cherokee County voters are going to the polls today not only to take part in the Presidential Preference Primary but to voice their opinion on whether to continue a one cent local sales tax for education in Cherokee County.

Today’s election is for voters to declare in either the Republican or Democratic Presidential Primary; when you go to the polls you must choose either party’s ballot, you’ll then vote for the candidate of your choice for President.  

Continuation of that one cent local sales tax for education has been a heated topic of debate for some time now. In 2014 voters, by a margin of 1,582 to 1,244, chose to continue the tax for another two-year period. The difference this time around is, if voted in the tax will be in effect permanently.

Also, on the Republican ballot, is the race for the District 1 position on the Cherokee County Commission with Incumbent Randy Jones facing off against challenger Mark Welsh.

There is also a statewide amendment, Amendment 1 to authorize the Legislature to provide a retirement program for Alabama district attorneys and circuit clerks who are first elected or appointed on or after November 8th of 2016. District attorneys and circuit clerks do not currently contribute to their retirement – but still receive retirement pay. If voters approve that amendment, it would force new district attorneys and circuit clerks to contribute 8.5% of their annual salary to their retirement fund; the amendment would also affect judges and justices – capping their benefits and raising minimum age of retirement to 62.

It’s estimated – over the next 30 year period, that could save taxpayers close to $200 million at a rate of ten to fifteen million a year.

Polls will be open today until 7:00pm.

WEIS Radio News will have all of the election results from the Cherokee County Courthouse starting at 7:00 this evening.