LINE UP: RECORD TURNOUT POSSIBLE

JACKSON - County Clerk Rodney Miller is anticipating a record number of voters could go to the polls today in Cape Girardeau County. But, because this will be one of the longest ballots ever, Miller is urging voters to come to the polls prepared, to avoid long lines.

"I would encourage people to make list or have an idea how you will vote," said Miller. "Anybody who goes to the polls should expect to wait 5-10 minutes at a minimum."

The clerk said if voters are unsure how to vote on certain issues, it could result in long lines.

The biggest turnout ever in Cape County was in 1984 when 25,302 people cast votes. In 1988 there were 25,219 voters, just shy of the record. But as a percentage of registered voters, 1988 was a record because turnout was 78 percent, compared to about 70 percent in 1984.

There are 35,165 registered voters in Cape County for this general election, which ranks second to the record of 35,947 in 1984. But Miller said he believes the registration books are more current now than they were eight years ago, which leads him to believe there could be a record turnout coming.

Miller anticipates up to 26,000 voters could participate in the general election this year.

Another indicator of high turnout is absentee voting, which Miller believes is higher than it has ever been. Just prior to closing Monday, Miller said he was expecting the absentee count to run between 1,500 and 1,700.

Absentees could be voted in person by 5 p.m. Monday and ballots that arrive in today's mail will also be counted.

Absentees are not counted, however, until polling places close. The absentees for each precinct are included with the totals from citizens voting today.

Besides a full slate of county, statewide, and national races, voters today will also be considering eight constitutional amendments, two propositions, and retention of two Supreme Court and five appeals court judges.

Voters in Cape County are also deciding whether to approve planning and zoning, while voters in the city of Cape will determine whether city council members should be elected by wards, rather than at-large.

In anticipation of the high turnout, Miller said he spent Monday getting all supplies delivered to voting places. That includes at least 290 voting booths and punch card machines.

"We've got out everything we've got," said Miller.

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