Bond issue, mayoral election give boost to voter turnout

A bond to overhaul school buildings and election of municipal officials were among factors county election supervisors said affected voter turnout in Tuesday's elections.

In Cape Girardeau County, election supervisor Joey Keys said turnout was as he expected, with the heaviest in Cape Girardeau. He said the Arena Building was among the busiest in Cape Girardeau, with 1,762 voters casting their ballots at the location.

He said the election of Harry Rediger to replace banker Jay Knudtson, who is leaving the mayoral position because of term limits, the passage of a $40 million bond to replace and refurbish school buildings and election of Cape Girardeau School Board members contributed to the turnout at Arena building and other locations throughout Cape Girardeau.

Brittany Henson, deputy clerk for Bollinger County, reported that of the roughly 8,000 voters registered, only 634 cast their ballots. Henson said that Leopold School reported the highest turnout, with 134 voters.

"We're always disappointed when they don't vote," Henson said. "It could have been because there weren't any big races or issues on the ballot."

Randy Taylor, county clerk of Perry County, said the Altenburg and Frohna precincts had 80 and 63 percent of registered voters respectively turn out to vote there. He said most other precincts reported low turnout.

He said just under 17 percent of registered voters participated in the election, compared to 10 percent in 2009.

"It was a bigger turnout than last April but this year was light," Taylor said. "April elections tend to be light most of the time."

Scott County Clerk Rita Milam reported no problems at the county polling places. She said voter turnout was between 13 and 15 percent.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

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