April 08, 2008 12:17 am
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By Susan Redden
sredden@joplinglobe.com
She’s hoping that races and issues in many Jasper County school districts and communities will translate to something other than a dismal voter turnout today, Bonnie Earl, Jasper County clerk, said Monday.
“There didn’t seem to be much interest at first, but we’ve gotten a number of calls in the last few days,” she said. “I’m hoping the turnout will be a little better than we normally get in April.”
The April elections determine leadership positions in cities and school districts, but they often don’t attract voter turnouts of more than 15 percent in the county. Earl said she had no forecast for voter response today, “but there’s something on the ballot for every town. Hopefully it will be enough to get people out.”
The number of absentee ballots cast before voting day can be a predictor of turnout. About 370 absentee ballots have been cast in Jasper County, election workers said.
In Jasper County, voters will decide city council and school board races, and other questions in cities and school districts. Voters will decide a bond issue for street projects in Webb City, and bond issues for a new community center and road work in Carl Junction. School district voters will decide bond issues for school additions and improvements in Webb City and Jasper.
Depending on where they live, Newton County residents will determine races for school boards and city councils, and will vote on tax issues or other ballot measures.
Newton County Clerk Kay Baum said she expects turnout today will be between 10 percent and 12 percent. She partly based that projection on the county’s receiving only 150 absentee ballots for this election.
“I think it is going to be really low,” Baum said of the turnout. “We just haven’t had much interest.”
She did say turnout could be higher in places such as Neosho, the Seneca Rural Fire Protection District and Silver Creek because of their issues.
Neosho voters will decide whether to approve 15 proposed amendments to the city charter. One of those amendments would allow the City Council to determine the total number of liquor licenses available by ordinance. A contested race for three seats on the Neosho R-5 School Board also will be on the ballot.
The Seneca Area Fire Protection District is seeking voter approval for a plan to issue $1.7 million in general-obligation bonds for construction of two fire stations and the acquisition of vehicles.
In Silver Creek, separate proposals to issue $3 million in revenue bonds for construction of a sewer system and to impose a half-cent sales tax for general capital projects in the village will come before voters.
In addition to city and school issues, voters in Lawrence County will decide a proposed tax on adult cabarets that is designed to make it costly for strip clubs to open in the county.
In a special election in the Pittsburg (Kan.) School District, voters will decide a $6.1 million bond issue aimed at the addition of all-day kindergarten.
Poll hours
Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Missouri, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Pittsburg, Kan.
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