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ELECTION 2020

County Clerk predicts 65% voter turnout

With deadline to mail absentee ballots passed, voters may still vote in clerk’s office.

Justin Addison Editor/Publisher
Posted 7/28/20

A high turnout is expected for the Tuesday, August 4 primary election. Howard County Clerk Shelly Howell predicts a 65% voter turnout, largely based on races for the Eastern and Western District …

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ELECTION 2020

County Clerk predicts 65% voter turnout

With deadline to mail absentee ballots passed, voters may still vote in clerk’s office.

Posted

A high turnout is expected for the Tuesday, August 4 primary election. Howard County Clerk Shelly Howell predicts a 65% voter turnout, largely based on races for the Eastern and Western District County Commission. Current seat holders Richard “Dragon” Conrow and Howard McMillan have declined to seek re-election, leaving the seats wide open to newcomers.

The primary election from 2016 saw a turnout of just 34.95% in Howard County.

The office of Eastern District Commissioner will be decided on Tuesday since three Republicans and no Democrats are running for the seat. Dean Fuemmeler, Jeff Stockhorst, and Blake Spry are all running for the seat on the GOP ticket.

Mathew Freese and Randy McMillan are the two Republicans running for the Western District Commissioner against two Democrats, Mike Vroman and Charlie Polson. Winners from each party will face off in the November 3 general election.

The other contested race expecting to draw voters to the polls Tuesday is between Republicans Tim Taylor and Don Baragary for the 48th District Representative. Current Rep. Dave Muntzel is barred from seeking re-election due to term limits. The winner of Tuesday’s primary will take one Democrat William Betteridge in the general election.

Voters will also be asked to decide the fate of Constitutional Amendment No. 2 which would expand Medicaid in Missouri. Both Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick and House Budget Chairman Representative Cody Smith are urging voters to turn down the amendment due to predicted skyrocketing costs. 

Amendment 2 is conservatively projected to cost $200 million in state general revenue and $1.8 billion in federal funding every year. It is projected to increase current Missouri Medicaid rolls from 950,0000 participants to more than 1.2 million participants. 

According to Treasurer Fitzpatrick, “The incredibly large price tag of expanding Medicaid will require massive cuts to our state's education funding levels or an increase in your tax bill, or both. With Election Day right around the corner, it’s imperative to inform Missourians of the long-lasting consequences that could result from the passage of Amendment 2.”

“We have to get the word out to voters that Amendment 2 provides no new revenue source to pay for Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion in Missouri. In the history of our state, never has there been a new $200+ million cost mandated on our general revenue fund without an enormous ripple effect across other services Missouri provides,” said Representative Smith. 

The impact of COVID-19 on the state’s economy has seen more than $1 billion cut from the state’s general revenue budget in recent months. Just this month, services requiring state support have been drastically reduced, including elementary school funding, college scholarships, and support services for those in need. “Amendment 2 will be a knockout blow to the state budget as more services will be cut or eliminated to pay for the healthcare of able-bodied adults,” added Representative Smith.

Changes to absentee voting this year include the ability to mail in notarized ballots. The deadline to request that an absentee ballot be mailed out has passed, but voters still may cast ballots at the clerk’s office during normal business hours. The office will also be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Curbside voting is also available for those who either can’t or do not wish to enter the courthouse. Curbside voting will not be available on Saturday.

Howell said her office mailed out 177 ballots, which is only a slight increase over years past.

Primary Election 2020

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