Today is the day Missouri voters nominate party candidates to run in the Nov. 8 general election.
Polls are open today from 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Unlike the general election, when voters see candidates from all political parties on one ballot, today's election allows voters to make choices on only one party's ballot - Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or Constitution. The Constitution Party has no candidates for the 4th Congressional District, Missouri's statewide officials other than U.S. Senate or any of Cole County's local races.
All ballots for voters living inside Jefferson City, regardless of the political party ballot they request, will contain Jefferson City's Proposition 1 - the proposal to extend the existing half-cent sales tax for capital improvements.
Two federal offices are on today's ballots - the U.S. Senate race and the 3rd and 4th District congressional contests.
Voters today also choose the nominees for five of Missouri's six statewide offices, with races for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer and attorney general.
Only two area legislative races have a primary contest today.
In the 59th House District, which includes eastern Jefferson City, most of Cole County and northern Miller County, incumbent Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, is being challenged by Randy Dinwiddie, of Olean.
In the 58th House District, incumbent David Wood, R-Versailles, is being challenged by Alex Stafford, of Versailles, and Mike Staton, of California. The winner will face Travis Maupin, D-Sunrise Beach, in the district that includes Morgan and southern Moniteau counties.
In addition to the state contests, Cole County voters are nominating candidates for Western District commissioner, sheriff, assessor and public administrator.
Cole County Clerk Steve Korsmeyer predicts a 30 percent turnout of the county's registered voters, and the secretary of state's office predicts a statewide turnout of 31 percent - based on the average of predictions from local election officials throughout the state.
As of 5 p.m. Monday, Korsmeyer's office had handled 1,335 absentee ballot requests.
Although submitted early, absentee ballots are not counted until today, and they are included in the totals for the polling place where the voter is registered.
Cole County polling locations are listed online at colecounty.org/494/Voting-Locations.
Previous election coverage:
Jefferson City and Cole County:
Jefferson City sales tax renewal on Tuesday's ballot
Cole County clerk predicts 30 percent voter turnout
Peters to continue as Cole County treasurer for 3rd term
Cole County sheriff:
Cole County sheriff candidates discuss crime
Dampf raises more, Wheeler spends more in sheriff race
Three in sheriff's race hoping to make a difference
Watch archived video from News Tribune's Cole County sheriff candidate forum
Hill, Wheeler answer questions at Cole Democrat meeting
Sheriff will be determined by primary
3 seek to succeed Cole County Sheriff Greg White
Cole County Western District commissioner:
Forum shows divide between Cole County Commission candidates
Western District commissioner candidates weigh in on Cole County issues
Cole County assessor:
Estes, Rollins duke it out over money
Cole County assessor candidates focus on staff vacancies
Assessor candidates talk about office's role in Cole County
Cole County public administrator:
Combs leads public administrator money race
Candidates focus on role of public administrator in Cole County
Candidates make pitch for Cole County administrator post
Missouri governor:
GOP governor's race tops primary
Brunner looks to expand economic growth as governor
Greitens promises conservative leadership
GOP governor candidates debate police policy
Missouri GOP candidates for governor talk police, Ferguson
U.S. Congress:
Two Republicans vying for 3rd Congressional District seat
Democratic newcomers running for 4th Congressional District
Two GOP candidates seek 4th Congressional District seat
Callaway County:
Callaway County set for primary election Tuesday
Three face off for Callaway County sheriff
Moniteau County:
Three candidates seek to replace retiring Moniteau County assessor