Remember to vote Tuesday

Tuesday is state primary election day in Missouri. In addition to statewide offices such as governor and lieutenant governor, voters in Southeast Missouri will cast ballots on several local races and issues.

Four Republicans are running for the U.S. 8th Congressional District seat. Phillip Smith, Hal Brown and Todd Mahn are up against incumbent Jason Smith.

At the state level, Republicans Rick Francis and Chad Unterreiner are running for state representative in the 145th District.

In Cape Girardeau County, races on the ballot will be between Paul Koeper and Shawn Peetz for District 1 associate commissioner, and John Jordan and Dave Diveley for sheriff.

Scott County will also vote on a sheriff. Democrats Ron Merideth and Rick Walter and Republicans Gregg Ourth and Wes Drury will face off.

In addition, voters in Scott County will vote on Proposition Kids, a referendum that, if passed, will increase property taxes by 75 cents per $100 of valuation over the next 20 years in areas served by the Kelso School District.

Charles Hutchings and J. Micah Bristow are running for coroner in Bollinger County Running for District 1 commissioner are Republicans James Null and Roger Vangennip. Democrats Eldon Thorne and Greg Ellis are on the ballot for 2nd District commissioner, as are Republicans Nick Hendricks, Roy Garner and Leo Arnzen.

Perry County voters will decide on a ballot issue to extend a tax. The 3/8th-cent, road-and-bridge capital-improvement sales tax would be extended another nine years. The tax was first approved in 2004; voters extended it for another six years in 2010.

Democrats Ken McGraw Jr. and Marion Brown and Republicans Tim Brewer, Jay Wengert and Ryan Robins seek the Perry County District 1 commissioner seat. Vying for the District 2 seat are Republicans James L. “Jim” Sutterer, Richard “Dick” Martens and Dan Miesner.

For more information on these candidates, see the questionnaires in today’s A Section.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Please take a few minutes to vote. The results of local races and ballot issues have a direct effect on the region’s residents. Make your voice heard.