ELECTION UPDATE: Cole County reports strong turnout for primary election

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

LINK: Get full results for state and local races

Voter turnout in Cole County was far outpacing that in Boone County late Tuesday afternoon.

Cole County Elections Director Matt Musselman reported about 28% turnout at 4:45 p.m. The Boone County Clerk's Office reported on social media platform X that the county had reached 17.8% turnout among its approximately 127,000 voters as of 4 p.m.

Turnout in August 2022 was about 23%.

The primary ballot includes the renewal of the capital improvement sales tax in Columbia and well as intraparty races for state and county offices.

Polls close at 7 p.m.

Turnout in Boone County nears 13 percent at 1 p.m.

Turnout in Boone County had reached 12.7% by 1 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Boone County Clerk's Office.

The office periodically reports turnout numbers via social media on Election Day. Turnout was at 7.8% at 10 a.m., just four hours after polls opened, with about 7,000 ballots cast.

County Clerk Brianna Lennon had predicted turnout at about 20-25%, in line with the approximately 23% turnout for the 2022 August primary. Boone County has about 127,000 voters registered for this election, Lennon said Tuesday.

As of 1pm, we’re up to 12.7% 🗳️ https://t.co/e9HgJKXnm0

— Boone County Clerk (@voteboonemo) August 6, 2024

Polls close at 7 p.m.

The August primary includes many key races that will likely be decided in this election, as only one party has fielded candidates in some races. Voters in Callaway County will know the identity of their next sheriff after votes are counted Tuesday, for example.

Cole County voters will also be choosing an assessor as Chris Estes, who has clashed with the county commission on numerous occasions, faces a well-funded challenge Timothy Theroff.

Check back here for Election Day updates.