An abbreviated Hailey ballot means the city's voters won't have to spend much time at the polls Tuesday during the Nov. 8 municipal election.
With only two names on the ballot and no city initiatives to consider, the 2005 Hailey ballot is about as simple as they get.
The only names Hailey voters will be asked to consider are those of incumbent City Council members Martha Burke and Don Keirn, both of whom are running unopposed in their bids to be re-elected to council seats 1 and 2, respectively. Because Hailey City Council members represent the entire city rather than individual districts, voters will be asked to vote on both races.
With re-election for both candidates assured, the makeup of the current Hailey City Council will remain in place for at least two more years. In addition to Burke and Keirn, the current City Council also includes Carol Brown and Richard Davis, the council president.
The term for council members is four years. Typically, the elections are staggered, with two council seats up for election every two years.
For Burke, a longtime resident of the Wood River Valley and occupant of the same Hailey home for 31 years, this will be her fourth consecutive term on the City Council.
Burke has said issues related to growth, economic prosperity, public safety and housing as being particularly important to her.
For Keirn, also a longtime resident of the valley, this will be his third consecutive term on the council. Keirn has indicated the next term will be his last.
Keirn cites promoting economic development, seeing the local option tax go to a vote and implementing a development impact fee as important issues for the upcoming term.
The city's only polling location is at the Hailey Elementary School gymnasium, which can be accessed from the corner of Elm and Third streets.
Hailey residents not registered to vote can do so in one of two ways: either show a current Idaho driver's license with a current Hailey address, or lacking that, provide both their social security number and a utility bill that shows proof of residency in Hailey for at least 30 days.
For Hailey election-related questions, city residents are asked to call either the Blaine County Recorders Office at (208) 788-5505, or Hailey City Hall at (208) 788-4221. Hailey City Hall will remain open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8.