JOPLIN, Mo. —
Jasper County’s new scanning system is recognizing most county-issued voter cards, but some of them and many driver’s licenses have proved to be troublesome today as primary voters go to cast ballots.
“Bring your new voting card,” is the message that precinct judge John Olson wanted to get out Tuesday morning. He was checking in voters of Precinct 23 at Villa Heights Christian Church, 2650 E. Seventh St.
“The voting card has worked every time but to scan in a driver’s license hasn’t come up too good,” Olson said. “The driver’s licenses are working only about one out of five times. We can punch it in by hand but it takes a while.”
County Clerk Bonnie Earl said she is aware that there have been problems, and that the new tech will work only with the newest of the driver’s licenses. There also are some voters cards that are faulty.
“When people have changed their address since the mass mailing of them, we printed the card off and something is off on our printer (that is causing the cards to not be read),” Earl said. “We need to check on that and get that taken care of before November.”
However, residents can vote without the voter card.
Voting started slow this morning but was picking up by 10 a.m., Olson said. There had been 142 ballots recorded at the precinct at 9:45 a.m. Only 25 of those were cast in the first hour of voting after the 7 a.m. opening, Olson said.
“That’s good for this precinct for this kind of election,” Olson said.
Election greeters at Fellowship Baptist Church, 2827 E. 32nd St., reported a similar voting pattern.
“It’s been pretty steady,” said greeter Cindy Garton. “It’s been a pretty good turnout,” so far.
Precinct 26 voting here had registered 120 votes by about 9:30 a.m. and Precinct 25 had 55 votes.
The early turnout is encouraging, said Earl.
“I’m glad to see it looks like a fairly good turnout and we’ll know tonight,” she said.
Voters, asked what they were interested in voting on, mostly cited the lieutenant governor and senate races. At Villa Heights, Margaret Crum was said she voted in favor of the question on whether to consolidate the village of Silver Creek with the city of Joplin.
“I voted ‘yes’ because I thought that’s what they wanted,” said Crum of the Silver Creek residents.
She said she knew there was some opposition to the proposal but she was aware that a number of village residents thought it would be cheaper for them to consolidate than to remain independent.
Top Stories
Jasper County voters reminded to bring new voting cards
- Top Stories
-
-
Memorial Day travelers bemoan high gas prices
Norm Hayward and his wife, Claudia, have a couple of things going for them as they continue their increasingly expensive motor home trip around parts of the United States. For starters, the Phoenix, Ariz., couple are saving on hotel costs.
-
Joplin team drove through storm to get to Moore
It was a long drive in the middle of a severe thunderstorm that had earlier produced a massive tornado in Moore, Okla. With the two-year anniversary of Joplin’s deadly twister approaching on Wednesday, a team of 14 Joplin emergency workers was ready to risk the trip in order to get help to a hurting Moore.
-
Cunningham Park vandalism estimated at $4,000
Vandals caused an estimated $4,000 worth of damage in Cunningham Park, draining the pool in the aquatic center of about 200,000 gallons of water and throwing some large landscaping rocks into the reflecting pond.
-
Joplin Board of Education to decide fate of East Middle School teacher
After hearing nearly 10 hours of testimony from more than a dozen witnesses and accepting more than 45 exhibits into evidence, members of the Joplin Board of Education voted to move behind closed doors Thursday night to decide whether Randy Turner, a communication arts teacher at East Middle School, will continue to teach.
-
Content of book, students' access to it at issue in hearing for suspended teacher
A standing-room only crowd is present at the hearing this morning to decide the fate of suspended Joplin Middle School teacher Randy Turner, who has asked for the hearing before the board of education.
-
Southeast Kansas foundation accepts donations for Moore
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is accepting donations to assist the victims of the Moore, Okla., tornado.
-
Demonstrators show support for suspended teacher
Most were carrying blue-and-white signs that said “Support Turner,” a reference to Randy Turner, a middle school teacher who was removed from his classroom and placed on administrative leave last month after an investigation by school district officials.
-
Awards mark Joplin observance of tornado anniversary
Joplin will serve as the beacon for resilient recovery from a disaster to communities across the United States, including recently hit Moore, Okla., said the nation’s secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano.
-
Federal, state leaders salute Joplin’s recovery
A deadly May twister may have punched a hole in Joplin and Duquesne two years ago, but the resolve to repair it will help other communities stand strong when they face similar disasters. That was the message of state and national diginitaries to a crowd of about 2,500 who observed the second anniversary of Joplin’s devastating May 22, 2011, storm during a ceremony Wednesday in Cunningham Park.
-
Banner from Joplin to be sent to Moore residents
A giant vinyl banner adorned with heartfelt messages from Joplin tornado survivors to the residents of Moore, Okla., became a centerpiece of Wednesday’s observance of the two-year anniversary of the May 22, 2011, tornado.
- More Top Stories Headlines
-
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
