For now, a scarcity of choices for county board

Even in a presidential election year when Democratic turnout escalates, Champaign County elections can be very competitive. Four years ago, when John Kerry won Champaign County by about 1,600 votes, Republican candidates won three of the five countywide races with totals of 51 percent, 56 percent and 58 percent of the vote. (The two Democratic winners received 56 percent and 62 percent in their races).

At the same time, Democrat Barack Obama won the U.S. Senate race in Champaign County with 65 percent and Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson won the 15th Congressional District contest in the county with 53 percent.