County clerks speak about election turnout

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mid-Missouri county clerks say voter turnout for Tuesday's 2020 Primary Election has been consistent.

Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon said the county's turnout rate was around 17% as of 6 p.m. She projected the turnout to top out around 30% by the end of the day.

Lennon said around 30% of voters went to the polls for the August 2018 Primary, which also had statewide and local races on the ballot.

“We have seen a much larger proportion of absentee ballots," Lennon said.

Lennon said Boone County has precautions in place for COVID-19 at the polls. Election workers wore masks and face shields, polling areas were cleaned between voters and hand sanitizer was made available. 

Callaway County Clerk Ronda Miller said she expected around a 40% turnout but had only seen 15-19% by 4 p.m.

Miller said the county saw about 1,000 absentee and mail-in ballots, about triple the amount compared to June's municipal election.

The Cole County Clerk, Steve Korsmeyer, said the saw a consistent flow of voters as well.

Korsmeyer said the county expects to see a 35% turnout and said he believes they are on track to do so.