St. Joseph voters share hopes for Missouri Midterm election

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Election Day is here, and Missourians are heading to the polls to cast their ballots.

Many voters began arriving at polling locations at 6 a.m. to cast their ballots, including St. Joseph resident Jeffrey Haney.

Haney said Amendments 3 and 6 were the most important issues on the ballot for him. He hopes the election results will send a message to lawmakers in Jefferson City.

"That citizen initiatives matter most, and they can't override those," he said.

Another St. Joseph resident, Pat Benedict, said she hopes the election results will make a difference for Missouri.

"That Missouri will hear our voices and they will keep our votes," she said

Benedict said this midterm election is important because she believes changes are needed in government.

"We need elected people's voices to be heard, and that’s why we waited to vote today because I wanted to see how the polling places were," she said. "I wanted to thank the representatives here at the polling sites."

The Buchanan County Clerk, Mary Baack-Garvey said she expects voter turnout to reach 50% or higher in the general election.

During early voting, 2,815 voters cast ballots in person, while 790 mail-in ballots were returned.

Benedict said high voter turnout is important because voter participation in the area is often low during elections.

"It's important that we get there and vote because we need to put the best people forward in our elections," she said.

St. Joseph resident Johnnie Winslow said he hopes women come out well in the election, especially with Amendment 3 on the ballot.

"We don't women bleeding out in the parking lot instead getting healthcare, that's my opinion." he said.

Winslow said America is on the line in this election.

"I think that this is the most important election I ever had in my 67 years. It's very important get out and vote," he said.

One resident encourages everyone to vote, saying that those who don't cast a ballot give up the chance to have their voices heard.

"Everybody that I've talked to are mostly upset about everything but they're not wanting to make that chance. You have to go out and vote if you don't then your voice won't be heard and we need our voices to be heard," St. Joseph resident, Valerie Kinsey said. Please go vote."

Polls will close at 7 p.m. For the latest updates and results from the midterm election, visit our website at KQ2.com/voterguide.