HEAVY TURNOUT EXPECTED; VOTER PARTICIPATION SHOULD BE SIZABLE

Fueled by a high-profile race for governor and heated races for local offices, voter turnout in Tuesday's primary is expected to be high.

Despite a lower-than-average number of absentee ballots turned in so far in Cape Girardeau County, County Clerk Rodney Miller said he believes voter enthusiasm is extensive.

The number of absentee ballots already submitted is usually a good indication of how high or low turn~out will be.

Miller said the number of absentee ballots already in is not as high as he had anticipated, but he added he still expects a heavy turnout based on the number of local and state races voters will decide Tuesday.

"I still think it will be a big primary," he said.

In Scott County, the number of absentees is unusually high, most likely because all races there are on the Democratic side, said County Clerk Bob Kielhofner.

Absentee ballots can be turned in until 5 p.m. today.

Miller said despite the lower-than-average number of absentees, he senses voter enthusiasm.

"I originally anticipated this would be one of the biggest primaries we would ever have," Miller said. "But the absentees don't indicate that."

In fact, in Cape Girardeau County only about 250 absentee ballots have been turned in.

"But local races have generated a lot of enthusiasm," Miller said.

Voters in Cape Girardeau County will choose Republican candidates for first district associate commissioner, county treasurer and coroner, and Democratic candidates for coroner and second district commissioner.

Historically, fewer people vote in primary elections than in general elections. Miller said in Cape Girardeau County, as many as 56 to 58 percent of voters have gone to the polls in primary elections. In general elections, that number has been as high as 70 percent in the county.

Kielhofner said the governor's race will likely bring voters in his county to the polls. He expects a near record turnout of at least 50 percent of Scott County's registered voters to cast ballots Tuesday.

"The governor's race is pretty strong on both tickets, and we've got a pretty hot sheriff's race here," Kielhofner said.

Add that to a race for county assessor, coroner, two district commissioners and associate circuit judge, and it will mean an exciting primary, the clerk said.

Of the approximately 22,300 registered voters in the county, Kielhofner predicts about 11,000 will vote.

He said the number of absentee ballots already turned in about 400 is an indicator of a good turnout in the election.

"The best we've ever had in a primary was 10,500 in 1980," he said. "I think we'll top that."

All candidates in the county are on the Democratic ticket, which makes the Scott County primary even more important.