Small turnout likely for special elections Tuesday in Kansas City, Jackson County

With all the World Series hoopla in Kansas City, turnout could be quite small for several local special elections Tuesday in Missouri.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

▪ One candidate, Matthew Oates, is running unopposed for a seat on the Kansas City school board. Gunnar Hand vacated the Subdistrict 2 seat to work in Los Angeles.

▪ Two Missouri House races are also on the ballot.

Vying to fill the vacancy for District 29, created by the resignation of Noel Torpey, are: Rory Rowland, Democrat; Brian DeMoss, Republican; and Richard W. McKie, Constitution. The district includes Kansas City and part of Jackson County.

There also is a vacancy for District 36 in Kansas City created by the resignation of Kevin McManus. The candidates are: Daron McGee, Democrat; Nola Wood, Republican; Timothy E. Peterman, Libertarian; and Mary Ann Drape, independent.

▪ Independence voters have two issues on the ballot to consider. Both seek a one-eighth of 1 percent sales tax to take effect Jan. 1, 2017. One would fund capital improvements including construction, repair and maintenance of facilities and equipment. The second would pay for capital improvements, maintenance, equipment and training for the Fire Department.

▪ In Oak Grove, voters will consider replacing a one-quarter of 1 percent sales tax for capital improvements with a tax of one-half of 1 percent. The tax would fund streets, storm drainage, sewer, water and other improvements. It also could be used to pay off previously authorized bond debt.

Another part of that same yes-or-no question seeks to replace the existing one-quarter of 1 percent sales tax for local parks with a one-half of 1 percent tax to fund parks and pools.

This story was originally published November 2, 2015 at 3:35 PM with the headline "Small turnout likely for special elections Tuesday in Kansas City, Jackson County."