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Less than 15 percent of Clay County’s 151,831 registered voters are expected to go to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 3.

David Reinhart, Republican director of elections, said that historically the August primary does not attract a heavy voter turnout. For example, he said, in 2006, 14 percent of voters cast ballots and in 2008, 12.5 percent voted.

On the ballot are 53 candidates — 19 Democrats, 28 Republicans and three apiece for the Libertarian and Constitution parties — vying for 15 federal, state and county offices. Voters will also be voting on Proposition C, which would prohibit the federal government from penalizing citizens for refusing to purchase private health insurance.

U.S. Senate

At the top of the ticket for the U.S. Senate, 17 candidates are running to succeed retiring Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond, but in reality the race is between Republican Congressman Roy Blunt and Democrat Secretary of State Robin Carnahan as they head toward the general election in November. The fight for Bond’s Senate seat will be watched nationally as Democrats try to hang on to their majority and Republicans see an opportunity to regain control.

U.S. House

Running against incumbent Republican U.S. Congressman Sam Graves is Christopher Ryan of Liberty. The winner will face Democrat Clint Hylton of Polo.

Missouri auditor

Incumbent State Auditor  Susan Montee faces a challenge in the Democrat primary from Abdul Akram. Republican state Rep. Allen Icet and challenger Tom Schweich are running for the seat, as is Libertarian Charles W. Baum.

Missouri House

The only primary race for the Missouri House of Representatives is in the 35th District, where Republicans T.J. Berry of Kearney and Noel Shull of Kansas City face off. The winner will run against Democrat Jim Baldwin of Holt for the seat now held by term-limited Rep. Doug Ervin. In five other House races, only one candidate each from the two major parties has filed. Those candidates will face off in November.

Clay County

In the six county offices up for grabs, four have primary races, one is unopposed and one has attracted one Democrat and one Republican.

Incumbent Democrat County Clerk Tom Brandom faces challenger Sherry C. Duffett, both of Liberty. The winner will face Republican Sheri Chapman of Smithville.

Republican William James Norris of Liberty is running against Jay Jones of Kansas City for a chance to take on incumbent County Auditor Sheila Ernzen.

Republican Lydia H. McEvoy of Kansas City is running against Bill Doores of Kearney for a chance to take on incumbent Collector of Revenue Sandra Reeves of Liberty.

Republican Mike Ebenroth of Kearney is running against Jay Lawson of Excelsior Springs for the chance to take on incumbent Democrat Recorder of Deeds Robert Sevier of Liberty.

Democrat Prosecuting Attorney Daniel White of Kansas City is unopposed.

Incumbent Democrat Presiding Commissioner Ed Quick of Liberty will face Republican Pam Mason of Kansas City in November.

ELECTION RESULTS

Vote tallies from the Tuesday, Aug. 3 primary will be available on The Smithville Herald website — www.smithvilleherald.com — the next morning.

Because The Herald’s press deadline is earlier than the polls will close, election results will not appear in the printed newspaper until the Aug. 11 edition.

Liberty Editor Angie Anaya Borgedalen can be reached at 781-4941 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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