By Tom Weber, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Polling places are open across Missouri for today's primary election.
Republican Jim Talent and Democrat Claire McCaskill are expected to fend off lesser-known candidates to set up the November race for U.S. Senate. And they've already agreed to a debate, on NBCs "Meet the Press" on October 8.
There are five Republicans and two Democrats vying for their parties' nomination to run for state Auditor. The current Auditor is McCaskill.
Congressmen Todd Akin and Russ Carnahan both face challenges from within their party today.
Many races feature candidates running unopposed and still others will simply decide which party nominees face off in November. But a few races will be decided today because no other candidates from other parties have filed to run.
Five Democrats are running for state senate in St. Louis city in the 4th district to replace Sen. Pat Dougherty, who is term-limited. The candidates are, in ballot order, State Rep. Yaphett El-Amin, former state Rep. Derio Gambaro, state Rep. Amber Boykins, professor Jeff Smith, and former alderman Kenny Jones.
Five Republicans in St. Charles and Warren counties are vying to become the new 13th district state Representative. The seat has been vacant since Scott Rupp became a state senator a few months ago in a special election.
Rupp also has to run for his new seat again, and faces a challenge from Republican Joe Brazil. The winner faces Democrat Wayne Henke.
Voters in Farmington, Missouri, will decide whether to recall their mayor.
Voters across the state will also decide whether to renew a sales tax that pays for state parks and soil conservation. St. Louis City voters are being asked again to raise business license fees.
Turnout is expected to be around 26%, though early indications are it will be lower than that.