Missouri’s local election authorities predict a 31% voter turnout in Tuesday’s primary election. If that estimate is met, more than 1.2 million Missourians will vote that day. Stephanie Fleming with the Secretary of State’s office says the projection is an increase from the August 2014 primary election turnout.
“Turnout tends to be depressed in primary elections. Obviously, general elections in November have higher turnout but particularly in a presidential election year. The actual turnout for the 2014 August primary election was just under 25%, but that’s a mid-term year. With a presidential election year, we hope to see more voters at the polls,” says Fleming.
Election authorities base their predictions on factors like past turnout, contentious races and ballot issues.
“The turnout that really matters is the actual turnout, the number of voters who show up to the polls on Election Day. We would obviously love to see that 31% blown out of the water,” says Fleming.
Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Voters can find polling place addresses, view a list of candidates and learn what type of identification to bring at www.GoVoteMissouri.com.
