Officials expect low turnout for primary
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. today for Missouri’s 2012 presidential preference primary, though election officials are not expecting high turnout for the largely nonbinding vote.
Pettis County Clerk Nick La Strada told the Democrat on Monday that it is hard to tell what to expect in turnout after the Missouri GOP chose to “unbind delegates” from the vote in favor of caucuses to be held in March.
Missouri Democratic delegates to the national nominating convention will still use the primary to apportion delegates, but with only token opposition to President Barack Obama, the outcome of that race is a foregone conclusion.
“We are expecting between 6 and 10 percent, if that,” La Strada said. “Voters need to remember they will choose either a Democratic, Libertarian, Republican or Constitution Party ballot. They can choose only one, and there are no write-ins.”
Uncertainty over the meaning of today’s election led GOP contender Newt Gingrich to opt out of the Missouri contest. Voters will have the choice of front-runner Mitt Romney and fellow contenders Congressman Ron Paul and former Virginia Sen. Rick Santorum. Also appearing on the GOP ballot will be Gary Johnson, Herman Cain, Michael J. Meehan, Rick Perry, Keith Drummond, Jon Huntsman and Michele Bachmann.
In addition to Obama, the Democratic ticket includes Randall Terry, Darcy G. Richardson and John Wolfe.
While the outcome is near certain, state Democratic Party officials are encouraging voters to participate, and stress that people interested in being selected as a delegate to the nominating convention must cast a ballot in today’s election.
There is no certified Constitution Party candidate on the ballot, and Libertarian Party candidate James Orland Ogle III is unopposed as the only certified candidate on his party’s Feb. 7 ballot.
Voters in Sedalia who vote on Election Day also may be casting their votes in a new polling place after the consolidation of election sites this year. Voters in Ward 1, Precinct 2 will now vote at Convention Hall. Voters in Ward 3, Precinct 1 will now vote at New Hope Baptist Church.
People with questions may contact the clerk’s office at 826-5000, ext. 918.
