Greta CrossSpringfield News-Leader
Missourians have the opportunity to vote for an array of candidates and issues this general election, with polling places opening Tuesday morning.
Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller said he anticipates a 55% voter turnout or more for the county.
How to vote in Missouri's general election
Polling places are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Those who are in line at 7 p.m. when the polls close will still 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.
Voters are required to have a valid form of photo ID when voting. This is newly instated. Valid photo IDs include a nonexpired driver's license, military ID, passport or other photo ID issued by the U.S. or state.
If voters do not have a valid form of photo ID at the time of voting, they may cast a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are counted if the voter either returns to their polling place on Election Day with a photo ID or the signature on the provisional ballot envelope is determined by a local election authority to match the signature on voter registration record.
Election Day:Springfield's guide to candidates and questions on the Nov. 8 ballot in Missouri
Who's on the ballot in Missouri's general election?
U.S. Senate
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt is the Republican nominee to replace U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt. The Democratic nominee is Trudy Bush Valentine, a registered, nurse, philanthropist and heiress to the Anheuser-Busch company.
Libertarian Jonathan Dine and Constitution Party candidate Paul Venable will also be on the ballot. The winner will represent the state alongside U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley.
State auditor
Running against one another for the role of state auditor are Republican Scott Fitzpatrick, a native of southwest Missouri, and Democrat Alan Green.
Fitzpatrick currently serves as the state's chief financial officer and has previously served as a state representative and chair of the House budget committee. Green has also served as a state representative, an advisor to county executives and a police officer.
Libertarian John Hartwig Jr. will join the two on the ballot. Hartwig is an accountant who has not held public office before.
U.S. House, District 7
Republican State Sen. Eric Burlison from Battlefield aims to replace U.S. Rep. Billy Long in a seat representing southwest Missouri. Burlison's opponent is Democrat Kristen Radaker Sheafer, a Joplin business owner.
Liberation Kevin Craig, who ran for the seat in 2012, 2014 and 2020, is on the ballot, too.
State Senate, District 30
Republican Lincoln Hough is the current senator from the city of Springfield and is seeking re-election. His Democratic opponent is Raymond Lampert, a Springfield attorney.
State House, District 132
Democrat Crystal Quade is seeking her final term representing the northwest and downtown Springfield district. Her Republic opponent is Stephanos Freeman.
State House, District 133
Two women are running for the house seat, which represents southwest Springfield. Democrat Amy Blansit is the founder and CEO of the Drew Lewis Foundation and Republican Melanie Stinnett is the founder of TheraCare, a speech therapy business.
State House, District 134
Republican Alex Riley aims to win re-election in representing the district that includes parts of south Springfield. Democrat Samantha Deaton, a city councilwoman in Battlefield, is Riley's opponent.
State House, District 135
Democrat Betsy Fogle, who currently holds the seat that represents much of the area around Missouri State University, is running against Republican AJ Exner, a biologist and former DNA criminalist with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
State House, District 136
Republican Craig Fishel is racing against Democrat Stephanie Hein to represent the southeast Springfield district. Fishel is a former Springfield city councilman and state representative. Hein formerly headed the hospitality leadership department at Missouri State.
Greene County Recorder of Deeds
Current Recorder of Deeds, Republican Cheryl Dawson-Spaulding, is running against Democrat Melissa Miller. The recorder of deeds is responsible for recording and maintaining property, military, tax lien and marriage records in the county.
What issues are on the ballot in Missouri's general election?
Question 1: Galloway rezoning in Springfield
A "yes" vote on question one will allow rezoning and construction to occur in the Galloway area, across from Sequiota Park. With support from the city of Springfield, a developer is seeking to rezone the area to build a 100-unit, multi-story apartment complex. Many neighborhood residents have pushed back against the proposed development.
Amendment 1: State investments
A "yes" vote will give the state legislature authority to expand the state treasurer's investment options to include municipal securities. Currently, the legislature does not have statutory power over investments and the treasurer's office has limited power.
A vote "no" will not amend the Missouri Constitution. Amendment 1 would not impact taxes.
Amendment 3: Recreational marijuana
A "yes" vote will legalize recreational marijuana and expunge some nonviolent, marijuana-related offenses.
If approved by Missouri voters, Amendment 3 would:
- Remove state prohibitions on purchasing, possessing, consuming, using, delivering, manufacturing and selling marijuana for personal use for adults over the age of 21;
- Require a registration card for personal cultivation with prescribed limits;
- Allow persons with certain marijuana-related non-violent offenses to petition for release from incarceration or parole and probation and have records cleared;
- Establish a lottery selection process to award licenses and certificates;
- Issue equally distributed licenses to each congressional district; and
- Impose a 6% tax on the retail price of marijuana to benefit various programs
If passed, the amendment would be added to the Missouri Constitution on Dec. 8, but it will take longer for folks to be able to buy, grow and distribute recreational, adult-use marijuana as the state implement's the necessary processes.
Amendment 4: Kansas City police funding
A "yes" vote will allow the state to increase the funding allocated to the Kansas City police force. A vote "no" will not require the state to raise the minimum funding requirement. Amendment 4 would not impact taxes.
Amendment 5: National Guard
A "yes" vote would create the Missouri Department of the National Guard, removing the National Guard from under the Department of Public Safety. As its own state agency, the Missouri Department of the National Guard would be headed by an adjutant general and serve under the governor, with advice and consent of the Senate.
A vote "no" would retain the National Guard under the Department of Public Safety. Amendment 5 would not impact taxes. Its estimated cost is $132,000 annually.
Constitutional convention
A "yes" vote would require the Missouri governor to call an election of delegates for the purpose of revising or amending the Missouri Constitution. A vote "no" would not require a convention to be held. This question is required to go to voters every 20 years by law. The convention would not have an impact on taxes.
A constitutional convention has been turned down by voters consistently since 1962.
