VIENNA — The Aug. 4 Primary Election is swiftly approaching.

It is an important election as voters select the candidates who will represent their respective parties at the November General Election.

In a Primary Election, when casting a ballot, voters must indicate which ballot they want to vote.

Maries County Clerk Rhonda Rodgers is predicting a voter turnout of 34 percent, although she thinks it might be lower.

She said the voter turnout likely will be higher on the east side because two candidates are running on the Republican ballot for the Maries County Commission position of Eastern District Commissioner.

Eastern District Commissioner

Doug Drewel, 59, of Bland, is in his twelfth year as a Maries County Commissioner and is seeking a fourth term.

Drewel is a fiscal conservative as during his first year on the county commission he sold equipment and scrap and paid off all of the debt for Road Two except for the road graders that commissioners try to keep under warranty. Drewel also stopped the proposed built up of Highway E near Nagogami, saying the county could not afford it. He also lessened the road crew by one man, freeing up more money to purchase white rock to improve county roads. A man on the east side of the county said under Drewel’s leadership, the roads have never been better.

His construction and mechanical background and skills have played a role when the commissioners make decisions on such projects for the road districts and the courthouse.

His challenger in the Republican primary election next Tuesday is Mike Moreland, 59, of St. James.

Moreland is a farmer, welder, truck driver, and heavy equipment operator. In the city of Cuba he began as a street worker, then became the street supervisor, then a city alderman, and finally the Mayor of Cuba. He also worked on the Phelps County road crew as an equipment operator, dump truck driver, and welder. He worked for Peterson Oil Company as a hauler and applying road oils for chip and seal. He works as an equipment operator for various excavation contractors.

He says he has experience in management of governmental and company budgets, employees and equipment. He has experience applying for grants from FEMA and SEMA for replacement funds for governmental agencies.

He is a member of the Broadway Baptist Church.

Voting a Ballot

Voters are encouraged to absentee ballot at the county clerk’s office in the courthouse or call and arrange curbside voting if they are concerned about going to their polling site on Aug. 4. Call the county clerk’s office to make arrangement 573-422-3388.

On Monday, the county clerk’s office had over 100 absentee ballots voted.

All Maries County polling sites will be open for voters on Aug. 4 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

There is much to vote on next Tuesday as most state offices from governor to state representative have several candidates vying for the party’s nomination, and there is a competitive race for 3rd District Congressman.

A Constitutional Amendment proposed by initiative petition, Amendment No. 2, asks Missouri voters to approve Medicaid Expansion for persons 19 to 64 years-old with an income level at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level.