Missouri voters go to the polls Tuesday to narrow the field of candidates in several local and state races. In some cases, the winners Tuesday are running unopposed Nov. 8, so the primary win is tantamount to victory.
The polls open statewide Tuesday at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m., but if you are standing in line when the polls close, you will still be able to vote.
The new voter ID law that was encapsulated in House Bill 1878 does not go into effect until Aug. 29, after tomorrow’s primary but before November's general election.
For readers who are more familiar with caucuses or general elections, this is a primary.
- At the polls, voters will be asked to choose a party ballot, whether that be Democratic, Republican, Libertarian or Constitutional. You are not declaring that as your party affiliation — just selecting which primary in which to vote.
- You can’t pick and choose different ballots for different offices. So, if you choose a Democrat ballot, you will only choose from among Democrat candidates for different offices.
- Voters can select a single candidate within each race.
- Winners from each party go on to Nov. 8.
To find out where to vote in Greene County, you can check the county clerk’s website. Every polling location has curbside voting available for those voters that are unable to go inside the location. Clearly marked signage with contact information to the polling location is posted at each location.
To follow results, you can track county-level and statewide numbers on the Secretary of State’s website. The Daily Citizen will be publishing stories on election night and will post stories on key races when there are sufficient results to report.
Here is a quick overview of key races for voters in Springfield and Greene County. This only reflects contested races — several other local legislative races will be on the ballot come Nov. 8.
Also, statewide, voters in the Republican primary will select among two candidates — current State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick and State Rep. David Gregory — seeking the nomination to become State Auditor.
U.S. Senate
On the Republican side, you have 21 candidates to choose from, but the leading candidates are: former Gov. Eric Greitens, U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, U.S. Rep. Billy Long, and Attorney General Eric Schmitt.
On the Democratic side, voters can choose among 11 candidates. Lucas Kunce, a Marine veteran, and Trudy Busch Valentine, a nurse who comes from the Busch beer family in St. Louis, are the leading candidates.
You can read more about the race in our Senate campaign digest series.
U.S. House 7th District
Missouri’s 7th Congressional District features eight GOP and three Democrat candidates, including Republican frontrunners Sen. Eric Burlison, former Sen. Jay Wasson and Sen. Mike Moon. Other Republicans include Sam Alexander, Alex Bryant, Paul Walker, Audrey Richards and Camille Lombardi-Olive. Democrat candidates include John M. Woodman, Kristen Radaker-Sheafer, and Bryce F. Lockwood. The Libertarian candidate is Kevin Craig.
Read up on the candidates here:
- Burlison, Moon and Wasson jockey for top spot in 7th District GOP primary
- 7th District candidates try to make ‘America First’ more than a campaign slogan
- A Springfield layman’s voting guide: Who will represent us in Congress?
Missouri Senate 30th District
Missouri’s 30th state Senate district candidate field is composed of Republicans Sen. Lincoln Hough and Angela Romine, and Democrat Raymond Lampert. Read more here:
- Former Councilwoman Romine challenging incumbent Hough in Republican Senate primary
- Springfield Republican voters guide: Where do Hough and Romine stand on rights, guns and more
Missouri Senate 20th District
District 20 of Missouri’s state Senate features only two candidates — Rep. Curtis Trent and Brian Gelner, both Republicans. Learn more here:
- Brian Gelner and Rep. Curtis Trent vie for Republican nomination in 20th Senate District
- Missouri Senate District 20 Republicans: Get to know the candidates
Missouri House 137th District
Voters of the 137th District of Missouri’s House will choose between Republicans Tom Barr and Darin Chappell. The winner faces no opposition on Nov. 8. Learn about the two candidates:
Who will you vote for to represent District 137: Thomas Barr or Darin Chappell?