By AP/Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri election officials are predicting 51 percent voter turnout in next week's statewide election.
Missouri has more than 4 million registered voters. If the projections hold true, about 2.1 million ballots would be cast.
Laura Egerdal with the Secretary of State's office says the 51 percent projection is about average for a non-presidential election year. But she also warns that long lines are possible late in the day.
"If you can, you should get out on your way into work or over the lunch break or during the afternoon to take advantage of the shorter lines that typically happen during those hours," Egerdal said. "But if you need to come at the very end of the day, as long as you're in line at 7 p.m., you will be allowed to vote."
Turnout in recent non-presidential election years ranged from 43 percent in 1998 to 53 percent in 2006. The highest projected turnout is 71 percent in Osage County, and the lowest is 21 percent in Jasper County.
Missouri voters will choose between Republican Roy Blunt and Democrat Robin Carnahan for U.S. Senate, along with candidates for the U.S. House, Missouri House and Senate, and will decide several ballot questions.
The polls open November second at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.