10% turnout expected in Cole County for Tuesday’s vote

Cole County Clerk Steve Korsmeyer is predicting a 10 percent voter turnout for Tuesday's municipal elections. That would be what they usually see for a typical municipal election, he said.

In Jefferson City, voters will be electing council members and school board members.

Four candidates are seeking two seats on the Jefferson City School board. They are Anne Bloemke-Warren, Adam Gresham, Marc Ellinger and Erika Leonard.

The Jefferson City Council has two contested races on Tuesday's ballot. Incumbent Councilwoman Erin Wiseman will face challenger Bob Scrivner in Ward 3, and Jack Deeken will face Jacob Robinett in a Ward 1 contest.

Jefferson City residents also will vote on a $44 million bond issue that, if passed, would allow the city to expedite sewer-related projects. It would authorize the city to request low-interest money from sources such as the Missouri State Revolving Fund Loan Program to finance millions of dollars in sewer-related projects over the next 10 years.

Several area school districts also have contested races on Tuesday's ballot.

Blair Oaks School District will see a four-way contest for two seats between incumbent John Weber, Adam Mietzner, Valerie Fischer and Glenn Reynolds.

In Eugene, three candidates are vying for two spots on the Cole R-5 School Board: incumbents Deanna Smith and Charles Angerer and newcomer Christina Busch.

In Russellville, it's a six-person race for two spots on the Cole R-1 School Board between Robert "Bobby" E. Reed II, incumbent Shawn Ehrhardt, Russell Wilson, Stephen Schnieders, Elaine Buschjost and Matthew Beilsmith.

"School board races seem to be the main issue generating interest across the county," Korsmeyer said.

Voter ID cards were sent out about eight weeks ago to the 53,157 registered voters in the county. Korsmeyer said voters can bring those to the polls on Election Day or they can use their driver's license when they check in.

There are a couple of polling place changes. Voters in Ward 3, Precinct 1, will vote at Jefferson City Bible Chapel, 2804 Sue Drive, instead of at St. Joseph Cathedral on West Main Street which is undergoing renovations.

Also, voters who cast ballots at Blair Oaks will vote in the middle school gym instead of the high school gym.

Absentee voting can still be done up until 5 p.m. Monday in the county clerk's office on the second floor of the County Courthouse Annex on East High Street.

"We have enough workers to man the polls," Korsmeyer said. "We will take COVID precautions by sanitizing pens and voting stations. People can wear a mask if they wish, but they don't have to."

More election news is available at newstribune.com/election/.