Primary turnout less than expected in Pettis County

Voter turnout was much lower than expected for Tuesday’s Primary Election in Pettis County.

Pettis County Clerk Nick La Strada had predicted between 30 and 34 percent of registered voters in the county would cast a ballot Tuesday in a primary that saw many hotly contested races across both the county and the state. However, only 6,877 Pettis County voters made it to the polls, or 24.03 percent of registered voters.

“The two weeks before the election we were having our absentee voting, it was a very good turnout,” La Strada said. “With today, we had that flood, then the extremely hot weather, that could have a little play into this. I just don’t know. Things were steady throughout the day. We predicted 30 to 34 percent turnout, ended being a little over 24 percent turnout. Statistically, it was not as large of a turnout as in 2014.”

La Strada wasn’t alone in his prediction, as the statewide prediction from Secretary of State Jason Kander was 31 percent.

All Pettis County precincts were reported in 57 minutes once polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday, keeping with La Strada’s record of quick election returns. La Strada said things went smoothly Tuesday, although the Houstonia polling location was moved at the last minute due to the original location being flooded from Monday’s heavy rains.

“We’re going to keep moving forward, stay focused on November. I just can’t put my finger on what that prediction will be quite yet,” La Strada said. “… Maybe people are just really engaged in the presidential election, and I think that’s what it is. We had a 40 percent turnout in the presidential primary.”

Pettis County Clerk Nick La Strada, left, greets Sedalia Third Ward voter Maxine Griggs as Election Judge Alberta Young opens the door for Griggs during Tuesday’s Primary Election at New Hope Baptist Church. “They have been steady,” La Strada said of voter turnout. “Thing’s are going exceptionally smooth.” Sedalia Third Ward Election Judge Jerry Laudenberger said the first hour was slow with only 22 voters but by 10:30 a.m. they were “pushing” 200.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_TSD080316ElectionPhotos-1.jpgPettis County Clerk Nick La Strada, left, greets Sedalia Third Ward voter Maxine Griggs as Election Judge Alberta Young opens the door for Griggs during Tuesday’s Primary Election at New Hope Baptist Church. “They have been steady,” La Strada said of voter turnout. “Thing’s are going exceptionally smooth.” Sedalia Third Ward Election Judge Jerry Laudenberger said the first hour was slow with only 22 voters but by 10:30 a.m. they were “pushing” 200. Faith Bemiss | Democrat

At the United Methodist Church Celebration Center, Fourth Ward Polling Place, Misty Cooper, foreground, gives her ID to Election Judge John Pollitt Tuesday morning as Election Judge Doris Mergen, in background, helps Brenda White. More than 330 people had voted in the Fourth Ward by 11 a.m. “It’s been real steady this morning,” Mergen said. “We’ve not had a lot of lulls.”

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_TSD080316ElectionPhotos-2.jpgAt the United Methodist Church Celebration Center, Fourth Ward Polling Place, Misty Cooper, foreground, gives her ID to Election Judge John Pollitt Tuesday morning as Election Judge Doris Mergen, in background, helps Brenda White. More than 330 people had voted in the Fourth Ward by 11 a.m. “It’s been real steady this morning,” Mergen said. “We’ve not had a lot of lulls.” Faith Bemiss | Democrat

Floyd E. Stevenson signs his name for Sedalia First Ward Election Judge Debi Langdon Tuesday morning at Convention Hall. By 11:30 a.m., 267 people had voted in the Primary Election at Convention Hall. “With the iPads, we can get the people signed in so fast,” Langdon said. “It doesn’t matter where they are in the alphabet, we can just pop them in.”

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_TSD080316ElectionPhotos-3.jpgFloyd E. Stevenson signs his name for Sedalia First Ward Election Judge Debi Langdon Tuesday morning at Convention Hall. By 11:30 a.m., 267 people had voted in the Primary Election at Convention Hall. “With the iPads, we can get the people signed in so fast,” Langdon said. “It doesn’t matter where they are in the alphabet, we can just pop them in.” Faith Bemiss | Democrat

After providing ID and signing their names, Sedalia Second Ward voters, from left, Rusty Carver, Amanda Fisher and Archie Ross prepare to receive their ballots from election judges, from left, Betty Beaman, Chris Rogers and Brooke Schutte at First Baptist Church on Tuesday. To the left are election supervisors Amy Potts and Anna Potts. “We get busy in spurts,” Anna Potts said. She added that by 5 p.m. 280 people had voted.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_TSD080316ElectionPhotos-4.jpgAfter providing ID and signing their names, Sedalia Second Ward voters, from left, Rusty Carver, Amanda Fisher and Archie Ross prepare to receive their ballots from election judges, from left, Betty Beaman, Chris Rogers and Brooke Schutte at First Baptist Church on Tuesday. To the left are election supervisors Amy Potts and Anna Potts. “We get busy in spurts,” Anna Potts said. She added that by 5 p.m. 280 people had voted. Faith Bemiss | Democrat