Abortion question, presidential race draw Joplin voters

Nov. 5—A Missouri constitutional question to reinstate legal abortion drew a number of voters — mainly women — to Joplin polls on Tuesday, as did the presidential election.

Gina Bauer did not have to wait long in line Tuesday to cast her ballot at Fellowship Baptist Church. In fact, many voters said they did not have to wait long to get their ballots.

Bauer was able to walk in and vote quickly around 11 a.m., which she said may not have been the case at other times during the day when there might have been lines at precincts 25 and 26 at the church, 2827 E. 32nd St.

An electronic sign in front of the church urged voters to cast "No" votes on the Amendment 3 question that would legalize abortion, though the sign was not inside the 25-foot distance from the precinct entrance where state law prohibits electioneering.

Bauer also did not have to think about how she wanted to vote on the candidates and Missouri issues.

"If it was conservative, that's how I voted," Bauer said, citing in particular Amendment 3. "The extreme left is very, very concerning," she said. "Very much so."

Another voter, Paige Stephens, was interested in having her say on Amendment 3.

"I feel like a lot of women deserve to have those rights and I don't feel like it's anyone's place to take that away from them, so I really wanted to make sure my voice was loud and clear on that so that we all have a choice on that and not have to limit it to circumstance and all those things that really can hamper a woman's life who carries a pregnancy."

The presidential race also was important to her.

"I feel like we're at a time in our society where we need to choose the better of the two equals. I feel like I voted correctly. It's very important to know who was really for the people."

A bill to allow internet or river boat sports betting in Missouri (Amendment 2) was important but confusing, Stephens said.

Proponents said the revenue produced by it would all go to education funding, but the text of the law states that the proceeds of a 12% sales tax on the adjusted gross receipts of wagers is to be submitted to a state Education Fund.

Stephens was not confident that the information she had about the law was enough to cast an educated vote, so she passed it up.

Nayeli Castaneda also was interested in women's issues. "My biggest one was Amendment 3, the reproductive rights for women," she said. "I feel like that was one of the more important ones we needed to actually come out a vote for," she said. "I feel like it is very important for women to come out and vote for this because it affects all women."

The presidential race also was significant for Castaneda. "It was my first presidential race so it was important to me. I voted for Harris because she's a woman and she knows what we are going through, so I figured she was someone to voice us."

The presidential race and the propositions on the ballot, including Amendment 3, were of interest to a number of male voters, too.

Chet Gullett said he spent more time reading the ballot questions and making his decisions on the votes than he did waiting in line. He said he thought he got enough information before the election on most of those questions to make a knowledgable decision. "There was one that I had to read quite a few times before I could take a view on it," he said.

"I was more interested in the propositions, No. 1, 2 and 3, and the presidential race," said Curtis Rose.

Asked if he felt he received enough correct information about the candidates and issues before voting, he said, "For the most part, yes. Both (presidential) candidates have been back and forth. Some of it's been really good, some of it's been kind of crazy. If you do any research, there's enough out there you could get all the points," about the candidates and the propositions."

Brandi Bewley came to vote on the candidates, particularly those for state office, and she brought her two daughters with her.

One of the girls has turned 18 and this was her first time voting. The other daughter is 23. "She's voted a few times and I like to encourage that," Bewley said.

The 18-year-old, Reina Cisneros, said of the experience, "I feel good. I think it's important and I'm glad I did it."

Voting also went smoothly early Tuesday at the Airport Drive Municipal Building.

"We didn't have to wait in line," said Summer Smith, who lives in Joplin. "But we tried to show up early."

Denny Fisher, who lives in Airport Drive, was also voting early Tuesday.

"Perfect," he said, when asked how it was going, noting that there were no lines or crowds.

"I'll be happy when it is completely over with," he added.