Clark County Primary Ballot Features Local Contests, Four Amendments

Clark County voters will select party nominees for federal, state and county offices and consider four proposed amendments to the Missouri Constitution during the Tuesday, Aug. 4, primary election.

All registered Clark County voters will cast ballots at First Baptist Church, 363 N. Washington St., Kahoka. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters who are in line when the polls close at 7 p.m. are permitted to vote.

Missouri primary voters may select a Republican, Democratic or Libertarian ballot. Those who do not want a party ballot may request a nonpartisan ballot containing only the constitutional amendments.

Republican ballot

The Republican nomination for state auditor is contested by Scott Fitzpatrick and Gerald “Jerry” Wistrand Jr.

Five candidates are seeking the Republican nomination for U.S. representative in Missouri’s 6th Congressional District: Jim Ingram, Chris Stigall, Nathan Hall Willett, Cody J. Oshel and Nathanael Schultz.

The Republican candidates for Missouri Senate District 18 are Dusty Blue, Ed Lewis and Greg Sharpe. Keith Gudehus is the only Republican candidate listed for Missouri House District 4.

Holly Conger-Koenig is unopposed for the Republican nomination for associate circuit judge.

The Republican race for Clark County presiding commissioner includes Steven H. Krueger, Ron Brewer and Blake Plenge.

Kelly Waples is the only Republican candidate for county clerk; Kimberly A. Schantz-Smith is the only candidate for circuit clerk; Melissa Bevans is the only candidate for recorder; and Roberta McAfee is the only candidate for treasurer.

The Republican race for Clark County collector includes Emily Bontrager, Tammy McDaniel-Ramsey and Kara Dienst.

Democratic ballot

Quentin Wilson and Gregory Upchurch are seeking the Democratic nomination for state auditor.

The Democratic candidates for U.S. representative in the 6th Congressional District are Josh Smead, Scot Pondelick and Matt Levine.

Nick Miller and John Leykamp are seeking the Democratic nomination for Missouri Senate District 18. Tristan Sutton is the only Democratic candidate for Missouri House District 4.

Paul Brotherton is the only Democratic candidate for Clark County presiding commissioner, while H. Scott Summers is the only Democratic candidate for prosecuting attorney.

Libertarian ballot

Dustin Coffell is the Libertarian candidate for state auditor, and Andy Maidment is the Libertarian candidate for U.S. representative in the 6th Congressional District.

Constitutional Amendment No. 1

Amendment No. 1 asks voters whether Missouri should continue for another 10 years the existing one-tenth of 1% sales and use tax supporting soil and water conservation, state parks and historic sites. The tax would again be submitted to voters after 10 years.

The tax generates an estimated $140 million annually. A “yes” vote would continue the tax, while a “no” vote would allow it to expire.

Constitutional Amendment No. 2

Amendment No. 2 would require all charter counties, including Jackson County, to elect their county assessors. It also would require assessors in charter counties to meet training requirements established by state law.

A “yes” vote would add those requirements to the Missouri Constitution. A “no” vote would retain the existing provisions, which exempt Jackson County from the requirement to elect its assessor.

Constitutional Amendment No. 4

Amendment No. 4 would change the process for approving initiative petitions that amend the Missouri Constitution. The proposal would require an initiative amendment to receive majority approval statewide and from voters in each congressional district. It also would require the full text of initiative petitions to be made available to voters with their ballots.

A “no” vote would retain the current statewide-majority requirement.

Constitutional Amendment No. 5

Amendment No. 5 would require the Legislature to phase out and eliminate Missouri’s individual income tax when state revenue meets specified growth levels. It also would authorize an expansion of sales and use taxes, reduce constitutional restrictions on taxing goods and services and require reductions in certain local tax rates when local sales tax revenue increases, without reducing school funding.

A “yes” vote would place those provisions in the Missouri Constitution. A “no” vote would leave the current income, sales and use tax provisions unchanged.

Voting information

The voter-registration deadline for the Aug. 4 primary was July 8.

No-excuse, in-person absentee voting will be available from Tuesday, July 21, through Monday, Aug. 3. Requests to have an absentee ballot mailed must reach the election authority by 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 22. State law allows in-person absentee voting through 5 p.m. Aug. 3.

Voters should bring an acceptable photo ID, such as a nonexpired Missouri driver’s or nondriver’s license, military identification, U.S. passport or another qualifying photo ID issued by Missouri or the federal government. A registered voter without an acceptable photo ID may cast a provisional ballot.

Absentee-ballot requests and election questions may be directed to the Clark County Clerk’s Office, 111 E. Court St., Suite 110, Kahoka, at 660- 727-3283.