MARIES COUNTY — Voters in Maries County shared their voices at the polls Nov. 3, choosing their representatives in the legislature and Congress, as well as voting issues like abortion and redistricting among the five ballot measures.

Voter turnout was 3,160 at 49.44 percent, higher than County Clerk Rhonda Rodgers’ prediction of 27 percent because there were no contested local races.

Patrick Kleffner, Western District Commissioner, predicted 29 percent, and Rodney Southard, Eastern District Commissioner, predicted 32 percent.

“Maybe people seen the 27 percent and thought, ‘I’m going to show her,’” Rodgers said. “I’m thrilled that people got out and voted.”

Steve Homes voted in Vienna because he believes that as a U.S. citizen, he can’t complain if he doesn’t share his voice at the polls. He said that the most important issues on the ballot are the economy and the outcome of the wars in Ukraine and Iran. He said these issues inform his views as someone who leans toward the Republican Party.

“I think they’re better action takers personally than Democrats,” he said.

Brennan Lowry voted in Vienna because he believes that the Lord told him to vote. However, he said that the most important issues on the ballot were between him and God.

“He gave me the ability to (vote) in this country. So here I am, thanks to the good Lord,” he said.

Amendment 3, which would allow the legislature to regulate abortion and prohibit transgender procedures for minors, was the most important issue for Penny Schoene. She voted in Vienna because she believed it was her right and responsibility.

“That’s the only voice you have,” she said.

David Heflin, of Belle, said he came to Vichy to take his mother Hazel Heflin to vote.

“She is 88 years old and still gets out to vote,” Heflin said.

Susy Dozier, a poll worker in Bland, said two issues stood out to her on Election Day.

“Amendment 3 and the Gasconade County property tax credit for seniors were both important to me,” Dozier said. “I also believe that, as an American citizen, my vote is my voice.”

The following are the unofficial results from the clerk’s office for Maries County only. Statewide totals are still being counted. There are 10 provisional ballots in the county.

Amendment 3

Voters in Maries County approved Amendment 3 to the Constitution to expand the protections for the unborn by allowing the legislature to regulate abortions with exceptions for rape and incest up to 12 weeks’ gestation, medical emergencies and fetal anomalies. It would also prohibit transgender procedures for minors. The measure repeals the 2024 Amendment 3, which added a right to “reproductive freedom.” The Associated Press has projected this measure to fail.

• Yes: 2,269 (72.35 percent)

• No: 867 (27.65 percent)

Proposition A

Voters in Maries County narrowly approved Proposition A, which would change the congressional lines to keep some counties more intact and is projected to have seven Republican representatives instead of six. The Associated Press has projected that Proposition A will fail.

• Yes: 1,605 (52.81 percent)

• No: 1,434 (47.19 percent)

Amendment 6

Voters in Maries County rejected Amendment 6, which would make the initiative and referendum process a fundamental right. The measure allows courts to change ballot summaries through lawsuits and prohibits the legislature from weakening the initiative or referendum process. It also prohibits the legislature from passing bills like laws rejected by referendum without an 80 percent super majority in both chambers. The Associated Press has projected this measure to pass.

• Yes: 1,230 (39.87 percent)

• No: 1,855 (60.13 percent)

Amendment 7

Voters in Maries County rejected Amendment 7, which would create a permanent public endowment fund to invest in the S&P 500 or similar index fund. The legislature could not remove money from the fund. Once the earnings are sufficient, the legislature could use the money to eliminate any state tax, including income and sales taxes. The Associated Press has projected this measure to fail.

• Yes: 1,304 (42.56 percent)

• No: 1,760 (57.44 percent)

Amendment 8

Voters in Maries County approved Amendment 8, which would establish a constitutional right to elect a sheriff. A sheriff could not be removed except by writ of quo warranto from the attorney general.

• Yes: 1,905 (62.25 percent)

• No: 1,155 (37.75 percent)

State representative District 143

Bennie Cook will represent Maries County residents in the state House of Representatives District 143 for the next two years. He defeated Marsha Snodgrass. The Associated Press has called this race.

• Republican Bennie Cook: 2,437 (78.41 percent)

• Democrat Marsha Snodgrass: 671 (21.59 percent)

• Unresolved Write-in: 5

State senator District 16

Bill Hardwick will represent the state Senate District 16 for the next four years. He defeated Virginia Staabs. The Associated Press has called this race.

• Republican Bill Hardwick: 2,470 (79.88 percent)

• Democrat Virginia Staabs: 622 (20.12 percent)

• Unresolved Write-in: 4

Congressional representative District 3

Bob Onder will represent the U.S. House of Representatives District 3 for the next two years. He defeated Bethany Mann and Jim Higgins. The Associated Press has called this race.

• Republican Bob Onder: 2,402 (77.66 percent)

• Democrat Bethany E. Mann: 613 (19.82 percent)

• Libertarian Jim Higgins: 78 (2.52 percent)

• Unresolved Write-in: 2

State Auditor

Scott Fitzpatrick will serve as the state auditor for the next four years. He defeated Quentin Wilson and Dustin Coffell. The Associated Press has called this race.

• Republican Scott Fitzpatrick: 2,459 (79.40 percent)

• Democrat Quentin Wilson: 563 (18.18 percent)

• Libertarian Dustin Coffell: 75 (2.42 percent)

• Unresolved Write-in (Maries County): 2

Judicial ballot

Voters in Maries County approved the following judges staying in office.

Paul C. Wilson, state Supreme Court

• Yes: 1,658 (58.86 percent)

• No: 1,159 (41.14 percent)

Matthew P. Hamner, Southern District of the Missouri Court of Appeals

• Yes: 1,880 (67.92 percent)

• No: Maries County: 888 (32.08 percent)

Uncontested County Races

The following Maries County races were determined or uncontested in the Aug. 4 primary:

Associate Circuit Judge

• Republican Kerry Glen Rowden: 2,727 (34 unresolved write-in)

Presiding Commissioner

• Republican Vic Stratman: 2,759 (28 unresolved write-in)

Circuit Court Clerk

• Democrat Mark A. Buschmann: 2,315 (106 unresolved write-in)

County Clerk

• Democrat Rhonda Rodgers: 2,241 (104 unresolved write-in)

Prosecuting Attorney

• Republican Kathleen Slone: 2,671 (61 unresolved write-in)

Collector of Revenue

• Republican Beth T. Wulff: 2,769 (22 unresolved write-in)

Treasurer

• Republican Angie Pasley: 2,746 (24 unresolved write-in)