Missouri election turnout expected to be 51 percent

Missouri election officials are predicting 51 percent voter turnout in next week's statewide election.

Missouri has more than 4 million registered voters. If the projections hold true, about 2.1 million ballots would be cast. The secretary of state's office released Tuesday the projected voter turnout that was calculated by Missouri's local election authorities.

Turnout in recent non-presidential election years ranged from 43 percent in 1998 to 53 percent in 2006.

Key contests on Missouri's Nov. 2 ballot include the U.S. Senate race between Republican Roy Blunt and Democrat Robin Carnahan. There are also several ballot questions.

The highest projected turnout is 71 percent in Osage County, and the lowest is 21 percent in Jasper County.