Voter turnout predicted at 49 percent
JEFFERSON CITY - Nearly half of Missouri's registered voters may head to the polling booth on Tuesday. The secretary of state's office is predicting turnout on Election Day of 49 percent. That's based on estimates from the 115 local election officials. If the prediction bears out, it would be in line with the 2002 election, at nearly 51 percent turnout, and above the 43 percent turnout of 1998. Those years also did not have a presidential contest on the ballot. Statewide, the secretary of state's office says more than 4 million people are registered to vote. Voters will choose a U.S. senator and state auditor and decide stem cell, tobacco tax and minimum wage issues.