One state referendum will appear on the Aug. 7 primary ballot. Voting is open 6 a.m.-7 p.m. on that day.
Missouri Proposition A: The Right to Work Referendum, is a yes/no vote. A "yes" indicates the voter's choice to uphold contested legislation, Senate Bill 19, which would enact a right-to-work law. This law would mandate no person can be required to join a labor union or pay dues to a labor union as a condition of employment. A "no" indicates the voter's choice to overturn SB19.
Not all issues and candidates are available to each voter because of their residence address.
Fulton Public Schools also is offering Proposition K, an operating tax rate increase of $0.5698 that would be used to maintain mental health services, create competitive compensation and provide resources to meet student academic needs, according to the district's website.
A taxpayer with a home valued at $100,000 would pay an extra $108 in taxes a year if the levy passes, according to the school.
A mental health grant provided for three years through the University of Missouri is ending in November. The school website stated if this measure is approved, it will provide replacement funds.
The district also stated starting teacher pay begins at $33,165 annually. An approved levy would bump them up to $34,415, about the same rate as starting teachers in Mexico, Missoui, earn.
A primary election votes for candidates within party lines. For example, if two Republicans are running for the same seat, a primary election narrows it down to one candidate for the general election, which will be Nov. 6 this year.
According to Ballotpedia, Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill is fighting to keep her seat. Twenty-two people have filed for that seat, including seven Democrats and 11 Republicans, one Libertarian, two Green Party candidate and one undeclared. Among the group of Republicans is state Attorney General Josh Hawley.
Four candidates are running for U.S. House, Missouri District 3. Incumbent Blaine Luetkemeyer and Chadwick Bicknell will face each other as Republicans, while Katy Geppert, a Democrat, and Libertarian Donald Stolle are the only candidates within their parties.
Candidates for Missouri auditor include incumbent Nicole Galloway, the only Democrat. Four Republicans are running, one Libertarian, one Green Party candidate and one undeclared.
Only two people filed as candidates for Missouri State Senate, District 10: Incumbent Jeanie Riddle, a Republican, and Ayanna Shivers, a Democrat.
Local races
There are few local races with more than one candidate in the August primary. A Notice of Election was published June 17 in the Fulton Sun on page 10, for further reference.
Contested local races include:
Callaway County Clerk, Republicans
Ronda Lea (Daly) Miller, of Fulton
Kathie Ratliff, of Kingdom City
Callaway County Collector of Revenue, Republicans
Sarah Gladman, of Fulton
Eva Jones, of Fulton
Callaway County Presiding Commissioner, Democrats
Tim Kendall, of Auxvasse
Susie Ferguson, of Tebbetts.
To view the August ballot online, visit callawaycountyclerk.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/The-August-Ballot.pdf. If you have any questions or would like to have a sample ballot sent to you by mail, please contact the county clerk at 573-642-0730.