Local issues, statewide primaries to be decided Tuesday
By NewsPress Now
Voters head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots on local issues as well as in statewide races.
In Buchanan County, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Registered voters should go to their assigned polling place and bring a valid photo ID, including a current driver’s license, passport or military ID.
In St. Joseph, voters will decide the fates of two issues.
Proposition S would raise salaries for all St. Joseph School District staff by roughly $2,700. The levy $0.59 levy increase would raise taxes by roughly $9 on a $100,000 home.
The city is seeking an extension of its existing use tax on out-of-state online purchases at a rate of 3.875% for an additional 10 years. Taxpayers would not see an increase in taxes if a majority of voters approve the extension, which would sunset after 10 years.
Originally passed in 2014, the tax generates millions in revenue each year for key street maintenance work and primarily functions by taxing items bought from out-of-state online retailers for use inside city limits.
Voters also will choose a new judge for Division 3 of the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Republicans Monica Morrey and Terry White are vying for the seat currently held by Patrick Robb, who is retiring. Morrey is the prosecuting attorney in Andrew County, and White has worked in law enforcement and currently serves as a municipal judge in Tarkio, Missouri. Although this is a primary runoff between two Republicans, there is no other challenger for the seat.
A number of statewide primaries also will narrow down candidate fields ahead of the November general election. Missourians will vote for party representatives for governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state, among other races. For national offices, a Democrat will be chosen to face Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., in November, and both Republican and Democrat primaries will be held for U.S. District 6 representative, a seat currently held by Sam Graves, R-Tarkio.
Find more information on the Aug. 6 races on our website at newspressnow.com/yourvote. News-Press NOW will have all Tuesday’s results online and on CBS KCJO, NBC KNPG and FOX KNPN.
