ABSENTEE VOTES POINT TO HEAVY TURNOUT TODAY

If absentee ballots are any indication - and they usually are - a large percentage of Cape Girardeau's 19,408 registered voters are likely to participate in today's election to determine whether riverboat gambling will be allowed in the city.

Lois Boston, voter registration clerk in Cape Girardeau, reported that absentee balloting was nearly comparable to that in last November's general election. Presidential election years normally draw higher turnouts and absentee voters.

"We had 489 absentees cast here for the Nov. 3 election, and had 463 for tomorrow's election," said Boston just minutes before closing her office Monday evening.

Besides the people who voted in person at Boston's office, another 46 absentees had been cast by mail and sent to the county clerk's office in Jackson. About 15 applications were still out Monday afternoon. They will be counted if they are received today in the mail.

Polls opened at 6 this morning and will remain open until 7 p.m. Since only one issue is being considered in today's election, paper ballots are being used rather than punch-card voting.

County Clerk Rodney Miller said all votes will be tallied tonight at the Arena Building. Poll workers are being asked to take their vote totals and election supplies there instead of at Jackson, where election results are normally tallied.

Miller said it is likely the final outcome will be known early, since just one issue is on the ballot.

Also being decided today in Cape Girardeau County is whether to incorporate the Gordonville Fire Protection District. Voters in the district will decide whether to authorize a property tax levy of up to 30 cents per $100 assessed valuation and will vote on members to serve on the district's board of directors.

Boston said the heavy absentee balloting in Cape Girardeau is based on the desire of many people to make their feelings known on the issue of riverboat gambling, and the time of the year.

"You have to understand this is vacation time and there are a lot of people who will be out of town who want to vote," said Boston. "Also, a lot of people are determined to vote."

Boston said the comments she is hearing from absentee voters are about even.

"They seem to be very strong one way or the other, and I get the feeling here that it is pretty even," said Boston.

On Nov. 3, voters of Missouri authorized riverboat gambling on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, subject to approval of voters in the cities or counties where a boat will be docked. The Cape Girardeau City Council decided earlier this year to put the issue on the ballot.

Voters in Caruthersville also will decide today whether to authorize riverboat gambling.