Tuesday's primary - a chance to participate

Missouri and Cape Girardeau County election officials expect about one out of every four registered voters to go to the polls Tuesday for the primary election. Primary elections are held to reduce the number of candidates to one for each party. In addition, there are some important issues on Tuesday's ballot.

In Cape Girardeau County, higher-than-usual voter interest is anticipated because in four Republican races the winner of the primary also will be the winner in November's general election -- no Democrats filed in those races. Primary-election voters will be choosing a presiding commissioner, county auditor, Division I circuit judge and Division III associate circuit judge.

Estimates for the primary-election turnout are higher across the state because of two key factors. One is the fact that legislative term limits have opened up a lot of races. The other is Proposition B, one of two statewide propositions, which has generated a lot of campaign activity.

More than 70 members of the Missouri House of Representatives couldn't seek re-election this year because of term limits. Half of the state's 34 senators also faced term limits this year.

Redistricting -- the redrawing of district boundaries as a result of the 2000 census -- also is likely to have some effect on voter interest. When boundaries of legislative districts move, voters in some areas find themselves represented by new faces, even if they are incumbents.

Proposition B, the statewide issue getting the most attention, proposes increases in both the state's fuel tax and the sales tax to raise nearly half a billion dollars a years for transportation projects. Supporters say Missouri desperately needs additional revenue for highways, while opponents say the there is too little accountability on how the money will be spent and question the split between urban and rural projects.

Another statewide vote, on Proposition A, would allow the imposition of a monthly tax of up to 50 cents on cell-phone bills. Revenue from this tax would be used to upgrade 911 emergency operations to provide accurate locations of callers seeking emergency help using a cell phone.

The Southeast Missourian has editorially suggested that voters approve both propositions.

If as many voters turn out Tuesday -- polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. -- as forecast, it will mark a significant increase over recent primary elections. The 12,000 voters expected in Cape Girardeau County is well above the 7,700 who went to the polls in the 2000 primary election and the 5,000 in the 1998 primary election.

Similar increases are expected statewide. The 24 percent turnout expected this year is more than the 22.4 percent two years ago and 15.9 percent in 1998.

Voting is an opportunity to participate in the democratic process. Registered voters who go to the polls will have a voice in the selection of officeholders and in the outcome of important issues. It's worth the effort.