VIENNA — Maries County residents headed to the polls on Nov. 4 to vote on funding and establishing a 911 dispatch center. A low turnout was expected from citizens across the county to decide the future of the critical service.

Some voters expressed opposition, including Jane Honse.

“We get taxed to death in this county already,” Honse said. “I was up at 5:30 a.m. waiting for the polls to open just to get here because I’m not gonna let my vote go unnoticed.”

Others voiced support, including Denise Davis, who highlighted the importance of quick response times in emergencies.

“Of course I voted yes,” Davis said. “911 is something we need here because I can’t imagine calling 911 locally and it just goes somewhere else. Voting no means response times will be slower too, and that’s not good.”

County Clerk Rhonda Rodgers told The Advocate that there are 6,310 registered voters in Maries County and she expects less than a 10 percent turnout. Early numbers showed that between 6 and 8 a.m., machines counted 31 voters at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Vienna who had cast ballots.

On the other side of the county in the Belle Precinct at St. Alexander Church at 8:10 a.m., Kathryn Phipps said she was not in favor of the tax.

“I am against it at this point,” said Phipps, who was number 23 to cast a ballot at the precinct. “The county or I guess commissioners? They purchased a boat.”

Phipps said it should be on the state’s conservation department to patrol the waterways.

“No on taxes,” she added. “We’re taxed enough.”

Dori Thenhaus also voted no.

“I’m poor and on disability. I can’t offer more money. I don’t think they’re going to take away 911,” Thenhaus said.

Standing firm on the other side, Linda Donze said the tax is needed.

“I think we need it,” said Donze, who cast the 24th ballot.

Terry Connors echoed the sentiment.

“I’m all for a 911 tax,” he said. “As for as increasing property tax, no, but I’m all for a sales tax. I’d like to see Belle have a tax for the marshal that doesn’t go into the general fund.”

“I’m optimistic with it,” Sheriff Mark Morgan said around 11 a.m. on Tuesday. “I think when I cast my vote this morning, I think I was the seventh one there around 8 a.m., but I vote over at Kenner Church in Hayden.”

Morgan wasn’t concerned with the low turnout.

“We knew it would be low turnout,” Morgan said. “We’ve had a lot of support when we were out in the community. I look forward to the results.”

The Senior Center offered baked goods outside the polls, with Linda Wyss and Peggy Rowden on hand for anyone wanting a treat while voting. Donna Jones and Debbie Deeken assisted voters inside, helping manage the polling stations.

Polls closed at 7 p.m., with ballots expected to be counted immediately after at the Maries County Courthouse. The Advocate will post results online.