Mississippi County voters to decide several races in Aug. 7 primary

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Voters in Mississippi County will have several races to decide during the Aug. 7 Primary Election along with deciding whether or not to make Missouri a right-to-work state.

County and state races within each political party will establish races for the Nov. 6 General Election.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters must remember to bring a form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license, to their respective precincts.

PROPOSITON A

Regardless of which ballot they choose on Primary Election Day, voters will choose “yes” or “no” as a response to “Statutory Measure Proposition A,” which is the right-to-work issue. The ballot language is as follows: “Do the people of the state of Missouri want to adopt Senate Bill 19 (“Right-to Work”) as passed by the general assembly in 2017, which prohibits as a condition of employment the forced membership in a labor organization (union) or forced payments of dues in full or pro-rate (fair-share); make any activity which violates employees’ rights legal and ineffective; allow legal remedies for anyone injured as a result of another person violating or threatening to violate employees’ rights; and which shall not apply to union agreement entered into before the effective date of Senate Bill 19? State and local government entries expect no cost or savings.”

PROPOSITION ONE

Voters in Mississippi County will have to decide if the County should continue applying and collecting the local sales tax, currently 1.75 percent, on the titling of motor vehicles, trailers, boats and outboard motors that were purchased from a source other than a licensed Missouri dealer.

“Approval of the measure will prevent a reduction of local revenue to provide for vital services for Mississippi County and prevent placing Missouri dealers of motor vehicles, outboard motors, boats and trailers at a competitive disadvantage to non-Missouri dealers of motor vehicles, outboard motors, boats and trailers,” according to the ballot language.

REPUBLICAN BALLOT

County

In the race for presiding commissioner on the Republican ticket, voters will choose from incumbent Carlin Bennett and challenger James D. Conn.

Two are vying to represent the GOP in November for county clerk: Emily K. Pullen and Clinton L. Wolford.

Cyndi Hensley and Amanda Bratton are running for collector of revenue on the GOP ballot with the winner running unopposed in November.

State

In the race for the GOP nominee of the U.S. Senate race in November, voters will choose from these 11 candidates: Tony Monetti, Austin Petersen, Josh Hawley, Fred Ryman, Christina Smith, Kristi Nichols, Bradley Krembs, Ken Patterson, Brian G. Hagg, Courtland Sykes and Peter Pfeifer.

Voters will choose one of the four candidates to represent the GOP in the state auditor race: Kevin M. Roach, David Wasinger, Paul Curtman and Saundra McDowell.

Running unopposed on the Republican ticket are: Jason Smith, U.S. Representative, District 8 and Holly Rehder, state representative District 148.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY BALLOT

County

In a race for presiding commissioner, Democratic Party voters will choose between Dustin Poley and Blake Jones.

For circuit judge of Circuit 33, voters will choose from Rebecca A. Reed and incumbent David Dolan.

Running unopposed on the Democratic Party ballot are: Rob Barker, associate circuit judge; Dottie McKenzie, circuit clerk; Arthur Cassell, county clerk; George Bays, recorder of deeds; Sandra Smoot Morrow, county treasurer; and Darren Cann, prosecuting attorney.

State

U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill faces six opponents in the Democratic primary: Carla (Coffee) Wright, Angelica Earl, Leonard Joseph Steinman II, John Hogan, Travis Gonzalez and David Faust.

Running unopposed are Nicole Galloway for state auditor and Kathy Ellis, US Representative District 8.