GAMBLING ISSUES TO VOTERS

Voters in the city of Cape Girardeau and Scott County will be going to the polls today, deciding whether to allow riverboat gaming. Under a Missouri law that was enacted last November, voters in a city or county where a boat will be docked must first approve riverboat gaming before a license can be applied for.

Polls opened today at 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m.

Absentee voting, normally an indication of likely turnout, was high in Cape Girardeau with just over 300 people casting early ballots. In Scott County there were a little over 60 absentees cast.

Returns from Cape Girardeau will be counted tonight at the Arena Building, while returns from Scott County are being tabulated at the courthouse in Benton.

Since these are the only issues on the ballot, results should be known early.

This is the first time Scott County voters have considered the gaming issue. In June, voters in Cape Girardeau narrowly rejected the local option.

Since the Cape issue was placed on the ballot by petition, it cannot be voted on again for at least one year if it is defeated.