Primary election

Today is Missouri's primary election. Voters across the state, particularly Republican voters, will head to the polls to select their pick for president of the United States.

Some may feel today's vote is an exercise in futility -- further supported by the fact that one major candidate on the Republican side will not appear on the ballot.

Since Missouri's primary was not moved back to March, the state would lose half of its delegates at the Republican National Convention should the vote be binding. To avoid the loss of delegates, Missouri opted to go the caucus route, set for March 17. However, the primary vote could help caucus attendees decide to whom Missouri's delegates should go.

Jackson residents have another reason to vote today. Proposition 1 asks voters if the city should annex about 240 acres owned by Heartland Materials LLC and the Hoffmeister family.

Opinions on both sides of the issue have been presented on this page in the form of guest columns, the mayor's columns, letters to the editor and Speak Out. But today the opinions that count must come in the form of votes.

Polls will be open today from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.