CLERK PREDICTS LARGE TURNOUT FOR LOCAL RACES

With contested races for nine offices and two statewide ballot issues creating interest, Cape Girardeau County voters Tuesday might go to polls in record numbers for a non-presidential election year.

Races at the top of the ticket for U.S. Senate, state auditor, and 8th District Congress have taken a backseat in the county this year.

Aggressive campaigns by candidates seeking three judgeships, two county commission seats, a state legislative seat, and three other county offices have focused attention on the local level.

Cape Girardeau County Clerk Rodney Miller said Friday if most absentee ballot applications are returned, absentee voting could top 1,000, a clear signal of a big turnout.

"It could be the biggest off-year turnout we have ever had," said Miller, who expects about 65 percent -- maybe more -- of the county's 35,723 registered voters will go to the polls.

Aside from the races for various elected offices, voters will consider retention of supreme court and appeals court judges, five Constitutional amendments and a statewide proposition.

Miller said some polling places could have lines if voters go to the polls unprepared. It will take voters more time than typical to go through the large ballots, even if they are decided on how they will vote.

State ballot issues that have garnered the most attention are Constitutional Amendments 6 and 7

Amendment 6 would legalize slot machines and other games of chance on gambling boats, and Amendment 7, dubbed Hancock II, would close loopholes in the Hancock Amendment that requires a vote of the people for state tax increases.

Riverboat gambling was legalized by Missouri voters two years ago, but officials in the industry say that without slot machines, the casinos can't operate profitably.

In Cape Girardeau, Boyd Gaming has plans for a riverboat casino complex downtown. Those plans might be abandoned if Amendment 6 fails.

Officials at Southeast Missouri State University have been among the leaders locally in their opposition to Amendment 7.

Opponents say the measure will force state budget cuts of at least $1 billion, which affect state funding for education, law enforcement and corrections and services to the disabled.

But proponents say those concerns are overblown and that any cuts could be offset by submitting tax increases to voters.

In another prominent statewide race, former Republican Gov. John Ashcroft, Democratic U.S. Rep. Alan Wheat of Kansas City, and Libertarian Bill Johnson are running for the right to succeed retiring Republican U.S. Sen. John Danforth. All polls have given Ashcroft a commanding lead.

Three-term State Auditor Margaret Kelly is being challenged by Democratic State Sen. Steve Danner and Libertarian Grant Stauffer.

In the race for Congress, Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson doesn't appear to face a serious challenge to an eighth term. His opponents are Democrat James L. (Jay) Thompson of Bourbon, and Libertarian Greg Tlapek of Cape Girardeau.

For the first time in decades, voters in Cape Girardeau County have three contested judicial races to consider.

The county is one of three in the 32nd Judicial Circuit along with Perry and Bollinger counties.

Democrat John Grimm, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term of A.J. Seier last November, is challenged in his bid for a full six-year term by Republican Ben Lewis.

Lewis vacated his position as Division III associate circuit judge in Cape Girardeau County after one term to run for circuit judge.

Running for the Division III spot are Democrat Gary Robbins and Republican Gary Kamp.

The retirement of Democrat Marybelle Mueller opened the Division IV associate circuit judgeship in Cape Girardeau County. Running for that post are Republican Allen Moss and Democrat Pete Statler.

State Rep. Mary Kasten, seeking her seventh term representing the 158th district, faces challenger Melinda Benton McCulley, a Democrat.

Cape Girardeau County's other state representative, David Schwab, R-Jackson, is unopposed for re-election.

On the county commission, 1st District incumbent Larry Bock, a Republican, faces a challenge from Democrat Jack Piepenbrok.

In the 2nd District, where Republican E.C. Younghouse is retiring, Democrat Max Stovall is running against the GOP's Joe Gambill for a two-year term.

The current presiding commissioner, Gene Huckstep, also will retire this year. Gerald Jones, who won a three-way Republican primary in August, has no Democratic opposition for the job.

The early retirement of Sheriff Norman Copeland opened the sheriff's job up this year. Seeking the remaining two years of the retiring Republican's term are Democrat Benny Hinton and Republican John Jordan.

Two Democratic incumbents are challenged for re-election this year to county offices.

Janet Robert, who has been recorder of deeds since 1977, is opposed by Republican Darlene Bonney.

And Miller, who has been county clerk since 1979, faces a GOP challenge from Laura Beggs.

Four Cape County officeholders are running unopposed this year: Republicans Weldon Macke, auditor, Morley Swingle, prosecuting attorney, and Harold Kuehle, collector, and Democratic Circuit Clerk Charles P. Hutson.