LIVE BLOG: Democrats sweep Boone County offices
11:33 p.m.
Democrats swept contents for Boone County offices in Tuesday’s midterm election.
Incumbent Presiding Commissioner Dan Atwill, county clerk challenger Brianna Lennon and incumbent recorder Nora Dietzel all won Tuesday night. Democratic judicial candidate Stephanie Morrell also took home a victory. Boone County voters picked Finley Gibbs over Brouck Jacobs for circuit judge, but Jacobs won the race thanks to support in Callaway County. The 13th Judicial Circuit covers both Boone and Callaway counties.
Boone County went overwhelmingly for Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, who lost her re-election bid Tuesday to Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley. Boone County voters also picked incumbent Democratic State Auditor Nicole Galloway over Republican Saundra McDowell.
Boone County voters also voted yes on Amendment 1, Amendment 2, Amendment 4 and propositions B, C and D. Statewide voters approved Amendment 1, which would change the state method for redrawing legislative districts, and Amendment 2, which will legalize medical marijuana. Missouri voters also approved Proposition B, which will raise the state minimum wage, but rejected Proposition D, the statewide gas tax.
Complete election results are available here.
11:16 p.m.
The Associated Press has called the state auditor race for incumbent Democrat Nicole Galloway,
10:47 p.m.
Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley has taken the stage in Springfield to declare victory in his U.S. Senate race against Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill. McCaskill has taken the lectern to concede defeat in the race at her St. Louis watch party.
10:35 p.m.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill has conceded in her re-election campaign against Republican Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, reports CNN’s Rebecca Berg.
Claire McCaskill has conceded the Missouri Senate race to Josh Hawley, per Hawley’s camp
— Rebecca Berg (@rebeccagberg) November 7, 2018
The Associated Press projects Missouri voters have rejected Proposition D, a 10-cent increase in the state fuel tax.
10:30 p.m.
The Associated Press projects Proposition B, which will raise the state minimum wage, will pass.
Read more about the particulars of the increase by clicking here.
10:23 p.m.
Fox News is projecting a win for Republican Attorney General Josh Hawley in his race against Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill.
So far Fox is the only news outlet calling the race for Hawley.
JUST IN: Republican Josh Hawley projected to defeat Sen. Claire McCaskill in Missouri Senate race. https://t.co/4yNg8n30sj pic.twitter.com/WwR9CNSELS
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 7, 2018
10:15 p.m.
Missouri voters will approve Amendment 1, which sets out a new plan for redrawing legislative districts and sharply limit lobbyist gifts and campaign contributions, according to projections from The Associated Press.
Voters will also approve Amendment 2, one of three ballot measures to legalize medical marijuana. Voters rejected two other medical marijuana initiatives — Proposition C and Amendment 3.
The AP also projects U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler will win re-election to the Fourth Congressional District.
CNN projects Democrats will win control of the U.S. House.
Democrats will take control of the US House of Representatives, gaining new power to challenge President Trump and setting up a divided Congress for the 2020 elections, CNN projects #CNNElection https://t.co/ccgXYMNQFZ pic.twitter.com/5Jyz7qR4gC
— CNN (@CNN) November 7, 2018
Our live election night coverage continues with our live stream of our newscast online. You can watch that in the video player below.
Reporter Sara Maslar-Donar got video of state Rep. Kip Kendrick, running unopposed for re-election to his Columbia House district, at a watch party for Democratic State Auditor Nicole Galloway.
9:55 p.m.
About 50-percent of precincts in Boone County have reported, here’s what we know so far.
U.S. Senator from Missouri – Claire McCaskill, D, 23,065 votes, Josh Hawley, R, 14,715 votes, Japheth Campbell, L, 419 votes, Jo Crain, G, 208 votes, Craig O’Dear, I, 397 votes.
State Auditor – Nicole Galloway, D, 25,342 votes, Saundra McDowell, R, 10,835 votes, Sean O’Toole, L, 770 votes, Don Fitz, G, 257 votes, Jacob Luetkemeyer, C, 828 votes.
U.S. Representative District 4 – Vicky Hartzler, R, 15,634 votes, Renee Hoagenson, D, 21,899 votes, Mark Bliss, L, 805 votes.
State Representative District 44 – Cheri Toalson Reisch, R, 2,175 votes, Maren Bell Jones, D, 2,294 votes.
State Representative District 46 – Martha Stevens, D, 7,912 votes, Cathy D. Richards, R, 4,092 votes, William Hastings, G, 184 votes.
State Representative District 47 – Chuck Basye, R, 3,776 votes, Adrian Plank, D, 3,801 votes.
State Representative District 50 – Sara Walsh, R, 3,693 votes, Michela Skelton, D, 3,098 votes.
Amendment 1 – 27,610 yes votes, 9,138 no votes.
Amendment 2 – 28,275 yes votes, 9,938 no votes.
Proposition D – 21,273 yes votes, 15,826 no votes.
9:54 p.m.
Cole County has now reported 100-percent of its precincts.
19th Judicial Circuit Associate Circuit Judge, Division 3 – Cotton Walker, R, 22,991 votes, to Gaylin Carver, D, 9,815 votes.
Cole County Circuit Clerk – Steve Korsmeyer, R, 24,905 votes, to Ann Moeckli, G, 6,533 votes.
Cole County Recorder of Deeds – Locke Thompson, R, 22,163 votes, to Deirdre Herner, D, 10,285 votes.
Cole County Fire Protection Tax Increase – 3,267 yes votes, 2,322 no votes.
Village of Wardsville Use Tax – 419 no votes, 325 yes votes.
Village of Centertown Water Bond Issue – 87 yes votes, 55 no votes.
9:43 p.m.
ABC 17’s Sara Maslar-Donar interviewed J. Eddy, a supporter of State Auditor Nicole Galloway.
9:33 p.m.
CNN projects Republicans will keep control of the U.S. Senate.
The Associated Press projects Sam Graves to win in Missouri’s Sixth Congressional District and Blaine Luetkemeyer to win in the Third Congressional District.
9:15 p.m.
Boone County has now reported vote totals from 11 of its 71 precincts.
Among statewide and county races Democrats lead, with incumbent U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill taking a 9,472 to 5,350 vote lead over Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley. State Auditor Nicole Galloway had 10,205 votes to Saundra McDowell’s 4,013.
Among county offices, Presiding Commissioner Dan Atwill led challenger Matt Cavanaugh 9,182 to 5,221; Brianna Lennon was ahead of Taylor Burks in the county clerk race 8,562 to 5,953; and Nora Dietzel was ahead in the recorder race 8,856 to 5,441. Democratic candidates were also in the lead in the two contested judge races.
Click here for complete, updated election results.
8:45 p.m.
Boone County has released its absentee vote totals.
A little more than 5,000 voters cast absentee ballots in Boone County, with Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill leading Republican Attorney General Josh Hawley 3,061 to 1,865 in McCaskill’s bid to keep her seat.
In the other statewide race, Boone County absentee voters favored Democratic incumbent State Auditor Nicole Galloway 3,299 to 1,437 for Republican challenger Saundra McDowell.
In county races, absentee voters favored all Democrats — Finley Gibbs and Stephanie Morrell for judge, Dan Atwill for presiding commissioner, Brianna Lennon for county clerk and Nora Dietzel for recorder of deeds.
Click here for full election results updated throughout the night. We’re also updating numbers on our live online broadcast, which you can watch in the video player below.
8:18 p.m.
Currently, Claire McCaskill is leading with one-percent of precincts reporting.
Statewide, Sam Graves is ahead in the U.S. District 6 race and Nicole Galloway is leading by more than 7,000 votes for State Auditor.
Amendment 1 through are Amendment 4 are leaning yes. Voters also seem to be in support of Proposition B, C and D.
7:47 p.m.
Reporting of absentee ballot numbers is being delayed tonight because of long voting lines in the St. Louis and Kasnsas City areas.
Maura Browning with the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office said the office is holding off reporting absentee totals from around the state because voters are still in line in St. Louis city and St. Louis County.
No numbers were posted on the Secretary of State’s website a little before 8 p.m.
7:33 p.m.
Cole County has reported absentee numbers and 3,199 absentees were cast among more than 53,000 voters.
In the U.S. Senate, Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley had 1,870 votes compared to 1,237 for U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill.
Click here to view the Cole County results.
We will post full election results for statewide and area races here.
7:20 p.m.
The first absentee results from a mid-Missouri county are in.
In Monroe County, voters cast 295 ballots. Of that total, 187 voted for Attorney General Josh Hawley and 92 for incumbent U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill.
Click here to see the absentee results.
7:07 p.m.
People are starting to arrive at election night watch parties.
At Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley’s watch party in Springfield, state Treasurer Eric Schmitt told an ABC 17 News crew why he supports Hawley. Our crew also shot video showing the scene as the party gets going.
In Boone County, Republicans are starting to gather at the Holiday Inn Executive Center, reports ABC 17’s Deb Kendrick.
Boone County Republicans gathering at the Holiday Inn Executive Center watching results come in. So far, none of the candidates have arrived. #Abc17News–@DeborahABC17 pic.twitter.com/r6H1Dqmboj
— ABC 17 News (@ABC17News) November 7, 2018
Check out our livestream election coverage, which began at 7 p.m. and continues until 11 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Boone County Clerk has revised his voter turnout prediction to about 70 percent.
Burks had said he expected about 80 percent of Boone County’s 107,600 registered voters to cast ballots in the midterm election. However, he said peaks in the morning led to an overestimate and revised that projection.
Burks had earlier said he expected about 80 percent turnout.
Higher peaks in the morning caused us to project higher final turnout…we trended slower this afternoon, will likely end around 70% final. Still the record for midterm turnout in Boone. pic.twitter.com/Y5C9MUini6
— Boone County Clerk (@bocomoclerk) November 7, 2018
5:05 p.m.
Most voters across the country said the main issue in today’s election is President Donald Trump in early exit polls.
Two-thirds of voters surveyed said their vote in congressional elections is about Trump, with health care and the economy coming in behind.
Click here to read more about national exit polls.
4:33 p.m.
Boone County Clerk Taylor Burks in a tweets said 54.8 percent of Boone County’s 107,600 registered voters had cast ballots as of 4:25 p.m.
The turnout is the highest for a midterm since 2006, when 66 percent of registered voters cast ballots. Today’s turnout will exceed that total and might reach 80 percent.
Turnout in Boone at 4:25 pm: 54.8%.
Polling place breakdown at https://t.co/MpF3mq5q9T
— Boone County Clerk (@bocomoclerk) November 6, 2018
4:21 p.m.
U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill held a brief news conference outside her polling place in Kirkwood on Tuesday morning.
We’ve posted video of the news conference shot by St. Louis TV station KTVI below.
Her Republican opponent, Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, voted earlier in the day at The Crossing church in Columbia, but did not speak with reporters. Video of Hawley and his wife entering the polling place is posted further down in this blog.
4:15 p.m.
ABC 17’s Kirstie Crawford got this video interview outside The Crossing church in Columbia.
3:35 p.m.
Cole County Clerk Steve Korsmeyer said he’s expecting turnout of 50 to 60 percent by the time polls close at 7 p.m.
2:20 p.m.
ABC 17’s Kelsey Kersntine talked to Boone County Clerk Taylor Burks, who expects turnout to be at 80 percent.
Boone County Clerk Taylor Burks says they are expecting an 80% turnout at this time – that’s more than 80,000 voters. #abc17 pic.twitter.com/pORCsuWoeG
— Kelsey Kernstine (@KelseyKABC17) November 6, 2018
1:47 p.m.
Boone County Clerk Taylor Burks tweets that voter turnout is at 42.8 percent.
Turnout in Boone at 1:47 pm: 42.8%.
Polling place breakdown at https://t.co/MpF3mq5q9T
— Boone County Clerk (@bocomoclerk) November 6, 2018
12:53 p.m.
Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley voted late Tuesday morning at The Crossing church in Columbia.
Hawley is locked in a tight race to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, McCaskill voted in Kirkwood on Tuesday morning.
11:49 a.m.
Columbia Housing Authority CEO Phil Steinhaus says Google has fixed the polling place error.
11: 10 a.m.
Columbia Housing Authority CEO Phil Steinhaus wrote in an email that the authority has seen a “steady stream of students” trying to vote at the authority administration building on Switzler Street.
Steinhaus wrote that the students are getting incorrect information from a link on the Google home page and should be voting at Paquin Tower, 1201 Paquin St.
11 a.m.
Boone County Clerk Taylor Burks cautions voters to only trust information about their polling places from the clerk’s office.
ABC 17 News and the clerk’s office have received reports of voters getting erroneous information via text messages about their polling locations. Burks said websites and services such as Vote.org and TurboVote have been giving some voters outdated information about polling places, which can change from election to election.
The county clerk’s office has a polling place lookup on its website. A link to that tool is available on our voter guide page.
Burks said about 20,000 Boone County voters had cast ballots before 11 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
Lines are out the door at The Crossing church, Kirstie Crawford of ABC 17 News reported. Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, the Republican looking to unseat Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, was expected to vote at the church this morning.
Line to vote at The Crossing moving pretty well but still out the door most of the time #abc17news #yourvoiceyourvote–@KirstieABC17 pic.twitter.com/8em8kk96YQ
— ABC 17 News (@ABC17News) November 6, 2018
10 a.m.
Boone County Clerk Taylor Burks reports heavy voter turnout among people going to the polls early.
Turnout in Boone County at 9 a.m. was 18.6 percent at 9 a.m., the clerk’s office reported. Burks told ABC 17 News earlier Tuesday that 5,000 voters had cast ballots by 6:50 a.m. He said he expects turnout to be below the 85 percent for the 2016 presidential election, but the hotly contested U.S. Senate race should still drive a healthy turnout.
The heaviest voting was at Fairview United Methodist Church in Columbia, where 518 voters had cast ballots by 9 a.m. The Ashland Senior Center had 411 votes by 9 a.m. and the Ashland Christian Church reported 426 ballots cast.
Polls are open until 7 p.m. You can find a polling place lookup link and find more about the candidates and issues on our voter guide page.
Turnout in Boone at 9 am: 18.6%.
Polling place breakdown at https://t.co/MpF3mq5q9T
— Boone County Clerk (@bocomoclerk) November 6, 2018
