Voter turnout rises in Cape Girardeau, Perry and Scott Counties since 2022 but falls short of 2020 numbers

A voter enters the Arena Building during Election Day in Cape Girardeau on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

Sarah Yenesel ~ sarahy@semissourian.com

Cape Girardeau, Perry and Scott Counties saw an increase in overall voter turnout compared to the 2022 primary election, but numbers were down compared to 2020.

There were 29,572 voters out of 93,500 ballots cast on Tuesday for a turnout of 31.62% across all three counties. While each county saw an increase from the 2022 election — 21,099 ballots cast out of 92,058 registered voters for a turnout of 22.91% — the 2020 election saw several more votes come through with 31,694 voters casting 90,807 ballots for a total turnout of 34.9%.

While numbers were down overall in 2022, the larger state races, including governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer and attorney general, weren’t on the ballot.

Republicans dominated voter turnout in all three primary election years with 26,240 (88.73%) total ballots cast across all three counties in 2024, 18,405 (87.23%) in 2022 and 27,487 (86.72%) in 2020. Only 3,085 (10.43%) Democrats cast ballots in 2024, while 2,590 (12.27%) voted in 2022 and 4,001 (12.62%) in 2020. Republican turnout increased by 2.01% from 2020 to 2024, and Democrat turnout decreased by 2.19%.

All other parties and non-partisan votes received less than 1% turnout each in all three primary election years.

Cape Girardeau County

In Cape County, 16,305 ballots were cast Tuesday out of 55,144 registered voters for a turnout of 29.57%, a decrease of 2.05% from 2020 and an increase of 7.47% over 2022.

The Republican Party had 14,111 ballots cast, making up 86.54% of the vote. While the total number of votes cast decreased from 2020 to 2024, the percentage of Republican ballots cast increased by 2.22% (86.72%) in 2020 and 1.96% (87.23%) in 2022.

On the Democrat side, 2,041 ballots were cast for a turnout of 12.52%. In 2020, Democrats equaled 14.73% of the party’s turnout while the number increased in 2022 to 14.84% for a decrease of 2.21% and 2.32, respectively.

Perry County

Overall, the ballots cast in Perry County’s 2024 primary equaled 4,778 out of 13,303 registered voters, with a turnout of 35.92%. In 2020, 4,592 ballots were cast out of 12,705 registered voters for a turnout of 36.14, while 3,238 of 13,213 registered voters cast ballots for a 24.52% turnout. Overall, turnout decreased by 0.22% from 2020 to 2024 but increased by 11.4% from 2022.

The county saw the largest percentage of Republican turnout of the three counties with 93.22% (4,454) of the 4,778 ballots cast going to the party. Republican turnout increased each year, including by 1.84% (91.38%) from 2020 and 1% (92.22%) from 2022.

Democratic voters saw their turnout decrease overall in all three primary elections from 2020 to 2024, with 275 (5.76%) Democratic ballots being cast on Tuesday. Democrats received 8.3% of ballots cast in 2020, marking a 2.54% decrease, and received 7.74% in 2022 for a reduction of 1.98%.

Scott County

The results showed more of the same in Scott County, with 8,489 ballots being cast out of 25,143 registered voters for a total turnout of 33.76%. Compared to 2020 where 9,307 (37.39%) ballots were cast out of 24,889 registered voters, the county saw a 3.63% decrease while 5,897 (23.86%) out of 24,710 were cast in 2022 for an increase of 9.9%.

Republicans also turned out strong in Scott County, totaling 7,675 or 90.41% of the votes in 2024, up by 1.38% (89.03%) from 2020 and 0.53% (89.88%) from 2022.

Democrats tallied just 769 (9.06%) of the votes in 2024, down from 998 (10.72%) in 2020 and up from 572 (9.7%) in 2022. Democratic turnout decreased by 1.66% from 2020 to 2024, and by 0.64% from 2022 to 2024.

Election turnout

2024 primary turnout

Cape County

16,305 total ballots cast out of 55,144 registered voters (29.57% turnout)14,111 Republican (86.54%)2,041 Democrat (12.52%)

Scott County

8,489 total ballots cast out of 25,143 registered voters (33.76% turnout)7,675 Republican (90.41%)769 Democrat (9.06%)

Perry County

4,778 total ballots cast out of 13,303 registered voters (35.92% turnout)4,454 Republican (93.22%)275 Democrat (5.76%)

2022 primary turnout

Cape County

11,964 total ballots cast out of 54,135 registered voters (22.10% turnout)10,119 Republican (84.58%)1,776 Democrat (14.84%)

Scott County

5,897 total ballots cast out of 24,710 registered voters (23.86% turnout)5,300 Republican (89.88%)572 Democrat (9.70%)

Perry County

3,238 total ballots cast out of 13,213 registered voters (24.52% turnout)2,986 Republican (92.22%)242 Democrat (7.74%)

2020 primary turnout

Cape County

17,795 total ballots cast out of 53,213 registered voters (33.44% turnout)15,005 Republican (84.32%)2,622 Democrat (14.73%)

Scott County

9,307 total ballots cast out of 24,889 registered voters (37.39% turnout)8,286 Republican (89.03%)998 Democrat (10.72%)

Perry County

4,592 total ballots cast out of 12,705 registered voters (36.14% turnout)4,196 Republican (91.38%)381 Democrat (8.30%)

Totals

2024 combined primary totals

29,572 total ballots cast out of 93,500 registered voters (31.62% turnout)26,240 Republican (88.73%)3,085 Democrat (10.43%)

2022 combined primary totals

21,099 total ballots cast out of 92,058 registered voters (22.91% turnout)18,405 Republican (87.23%)2,590 Democrat (12.27%)

2020 combined primary totals

31,694 total ballots cast out of 90,807 registered voters (34.9% turnout)27,487 Republican (86.72%)4,001 Democrat (12.62%)