What you need to know about Tuesday's Missouri primary elections in Greene County
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Polling places open bright and early Tuesday morning for Missouri's primary election, which determines the candidates who will appear on the ballot in November.
In preparation for Tuesday, the Greene County Clerk's election team has been setting up voting equipment at each polling place and finalizing all last-minute details.
Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller said he anticipates a 32-35% voter turnout for the county.
How to vote in Missouri's primary election
Polls open at 6 a.m. Tuesday and close at 7 p.m. Those who are in line at 7 p.m. when the polls close will have the opportunity to vote. To locate your polling place and view candidates and issues, visit the Missouri Secretary of State Voter Outreach Center web page.
More: The Greene County ballot for Missouri's August primary is packed. Here's what to know.
Voters are required to have a form of ID when voting. The state of Missouri does have a new law requiring a photo ID to vote, but this does not take effect until after the primary election. Valid IDs include a driver's license, passport, voter ID card, college or university ID, utility bill, bank statement or other government document that displays your name and address.
If you do not have a form of ID at the time you vote, you can cast a provisional ballot and return to the polling place later with valid ID to verify your identity. Provisional ballots will only be counted if identification is verified.
Who's on the ballot in Missouri's primary election?
U.S. Senate
After 12 years in the Senate, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt is retiring and several candidates — both Republicans and Democrats — are vying to replace him.
For the Republicans, candidates include former Gov. Eric Greitens, Attorney General Eric Schmitt, U.S. Reps. Vicky Hartzler and Billy Long, Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz and attorney Mark McCloskey. There are also several other lesser-known candidates.
Watch and listen: Meet the candidates running in the Aug. 2 primary for U.S. House, MO legislature
Democrats have 11 candidates with frontrunners Marine veteran Lucas Kunce, beer heiress Trudy Busch Valentine and entrepreneur Spencer Toder.
U.S. House - District 7
Eight Republicans and three Democrats are running for the southwest Missouri district.
Republican candidates include former state Sen. Jay Wasson, current Sen. Eric Burlison, Sen. Mike Moon, physician Sam Alexander, pastor Alex Bryant, retired Col. Paul Walker, Audrey Richards and Camille Lombardi-Olive.
More: Missouri's 7th district GOP primary: State senators past and present fight for nomination
Democrat candidates include John M. Woodman, Kristen Radaker-Sheafer and Bryce F. Lockwood.
State auditor
Current Auditor Nicole Galloway said she is stepping away from public office after losing in the race for Missouri governor in 2020.
Republican candidates for state auditor include Rep. David Gregory, an attorney and accountant from St. Louis County, and State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, a former southwest Missouri House member and budget chair.
The Democrats are represented by Alan Green, a former state representative and county advisor from St. Louis County. He is unchallenged in the primary election.
State Senate - District 30
Current Sen. Lincoln Hough is being challenged by fellow Republican Angela Romine, a former Springfield city councilwoman. The Democrat candidate is attorney Raymond Lampert.
More: The question in Springfield's state Senate primary: How conservative is conservative enough?
State Senate - District 20
Sen. Eric Burlison is leaving his role as state senator of district 20, which represents Greene, Webster, Dade and Barton counties, because he is running for Congress.
Republicans Rep. Curtis Trent and Brian Gelner are running against one another.
More: A business executive and state rep, both Republicans, vie for a southwest Missouri Senate seat
State House - District 137
Republicans Tom Barr, Greene County circuit clerk, and Darin Chappell, a city administrator, are running against one another for the district that represents east Greene County.
More: Circuit clerk Tom Barr, city official Darin Chappell run for east Greene County House seat
Potential problems to be aware of while voting in Missouri
According to a Greene County Clerk's Office news release, Tuesday's primary election is the first to have new voting district lines for the Missouri House and Senate.
In a typical U.S. Census year, districts are released prior to the election year. However, the 2020 U.S. Census numbers were released and finalized by the Missouri House and Senate redistricting commissions earlier this year. The news release states that the Greene County Clerk's election team only had six weeks to make the necessary changes.
In any polling location that has more than one legislative House or Senate seat, each street must be individually assigned to the correct district.
The shortened time span allowed less time to review the work for accuracy to ensure each street address in precincts were correctly assigned.
“Our goal is to be open and transparent and assure every voter is voting the correct ballot when they come and vote on Tuesday,” said Schoeller in the news release. “We want to emphasize it’s okay if you have a question about your district on election day.”
To verify your legislative district prior to voting, use the Missouri Secretary of State's Voter Outreach Center online tool. The Greene County Clerk's Office will also have printed maps available on Tuesday for voters to verify their correct location.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri primary elections are Tuesday here's how to vote
