Boone County voter turnout sits at 4.3% for first half of Election Day

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone County saw low voter turnout Tuesday morning for the municipal elections.

Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon posted on X at 10 a.m. that voter turnout was 2.5% for the first four hours the polls were open.

Lennon later updated the post, noting voter turnout was 4.3% around 1 p.m.

Lennon told ABC 17 News on Monday that she expected about 12% of registered voters to turn out for the local election, which includes school board and city council races. She said there are about 121,000 Boone County voters registered for the April election, although one part of the county doesn't have an election.

Tuesday morning, Lennon said her office had received fewer than 1,000 absentee ballots, which laid the groundwork for turnout on Election Day.

The April 2024 election saw 16.37% voter turnout, and the April 2025 mayoral election had 25.23% voter turnout.

Some Boone County and Columbia voters will decide who gets to sit on the city council.

Ward 5 Councilmember Don Waterman is running for reelection, and newcomer Christina Hartman is running.

"I hope Christina wins for the 5th Ward," voter Traci Wilson Kleekamp said. "I think she's forward thinking, and a critical thinker and is engaged in the idea that we need change."

Voter William Bliss said he likes the incumbent.

"I think our incumbent alderman has been doing pretty well, so I don't have any issues there," Bliss said.

Another Boone County voter Becky Ulm chose not to share how she voted, but she said local elections are vital.

"Well, every election is important," Ulm said. "It helps run our community and decides what is going to happen next."

Some Columbia voters will also get to decide who will sit on the Columbia Board of Education, and Ulm said her vote directly affects her grandson.

"His future depends on what happens in the school system," Ulm said. "School education is what is important to these kids' future and the community."

Boone County voters can visit the Boone County Clerk's website to find voter information and polling locations.

For more information about Boone County ballot issues, the Columbia Board of Education race or the Columbia City Council Ward 5 race, visit ABC 17's Voter Guide.

Check back for updates.