MARIES COUNTY — Maries County Clerk Rhonda Rodgers predicts higher voter turnout for the Nov. 8 general election than the Aug. 2 primary election.

She estimates about 43% of Maries County’s 6,214 registered voters will vote in the election.

Rodgers expects a higher turnout because there is more on the upcoming ballot than the August ballot. Seats on the ballot include U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, State Auditor, State Senator, and State Representative.

Republican Eric Schmitt, Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine, Libertarian Jonathan Dine and the Constitution Party’s Paul Venable are running for U.S. Senate. Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer and Democrat Bethany Mann are running for U.S. Representative. Republican Scott Fitzpatrick, Democrat Alan Green and Libertarian John A. Hartwig Jr. are running for State Auditor. Republican Justin Dan Brown and Democrat Tara Anura are running for State Senate. Republican Bennie Cook and Democrat Bernadette Holzer are running for State Representative.

Several state constitutional amendments are also on the ballot. Rodgers said she thinks Amendment 3 will attract many voters to the polls. If passed, Amendment 3, among other things, would remove state prohibitions on purchasing, possessing, consuming, using, delivering, manufacturing and selling marijuana.

Several voters have skipped the election day polls and voted absentee. Rodgers said the county had received 122 absentee ballots as of Oct. 31. That total is already higher than the 108 absentee ballots received for the August election. The deadline to vote in-person absentee at the Maries County courthouse is 5 p.m. on Nov. 7.

The county has 40 people signed up to be poll workers and one person to be a poll watcher. Poll workers check in voters, answer questions and ensure all eligible people have the opportunity to vote. Poll watchers observe the election process.

Voters visiting the polls for upcoming elections will need to bring a photo ID. If someone believes they are eligible to vote but does not bring a photo ID, poll workers will not turn them away. They will receive a provisional ballot, which is the same as a regular ballot except the voter must sign it. Election officials then verify the person’s signature to verify they are an eligible voter.

Rodgers wants to remind voters that every vote counts. “No matter what they think, their vote does count,” she said.