Participate in democracy today
Just in case y'all forgot, polls for the state primaries are open today until 7 pm, and several tight intraparty races will be adjudicated. I just got back from my polling place, the National Guard Armory at 701 E. Ash St., which is Precinct 1A-2.
I would love to dicuss my picks, and even take bets on them with readers/fellow reporters, but there is integrity to protect and rules to follow. I will say that I made a few less-than-educated picks at the county level for the simple purpose of learning about their platform this afternoon and becoming a sort of fairweather superfan as the numbers get posted.
As I dropped off my ballot I did notice I was voter number 35, which is remarkable considering the polls have been open since 6 am. But it's still a few more hours until the whistle blows at the 'ol salt mines, so we might see some longer lines a little closer to cocktail hour. On the positive side, I couldn't see any evidence of voter fraud. The poll workers were checking IDs, and appeared to be sober. None of the few voters that showed while I was there up appeared to have fallen victim to "bloody shirt" get-out-the-vote efforts, and there were no hecklers in the parking lot.
Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan said this week that her office expects 31 percent of the more than 4 million registered voters in Missouri to show up today, which is relatively high number for a state primary, but still smaller than the turnout in 2004, which was 36 percent.
As the results for Missouri's 3515 voting precincts start rolling in to the SoS website (and through other sources), Politics Watch will keep you posted. Now, go vote, and do it clean.