Perry County citizens showed up across the city to do their civic duty and vote in the midterm election last Tuesday, according to county clerk Jared Kutz, around 40% of registered voters in the county cast their ballots, accounting for more than 13,000 voters.
“All the credit goes to my staff and the election judges for running a good election and making sure if a voter who was properly registered to vote and wanted to cast a ballot, they got to cast the ballot,” Kutz said. “We’ve got a great group of judges with a lot of experience that have helped us throughout the many years that I’ve been here and that continued last Tuesday. It was a good election overall. And I think things turned out as we kind of expected them so far as the turnout goes.”
Scott Fitzpatrick retained his seat as state auditor, getting 75% of the vote in Perry County. Jason Smith will continue as U.S representative for district 8, getting 74% of the vote in the County and 67% at the state level. Bryant Wolfin retained his seat as state representative in the 145th district.
The following local candidates were elected, running unopposed: Scott Lipke for circuit court judge 32 division 1, Craig Brewer for associate circuit judge, Jay Wengert for presiding commissioner, Jared Kutz for county clerk, Jennifer Hotop for circuit clerk, Dana Pritchard for recorder of deeds, treasurer Katie Schemel, Caitlin Hoeh Pistorio for prosecuting attorney, and Dena Preston for collector of revenue.
Judge Paul Wilson retained his seat on the state supreme court, Virginia Lay, Rebecca Navarro-McKelvey and Angela Turner Quigless retained their seats on the eastern district court of appeals.
Four constitutional amendments were on the ballot on the state level, along with one proposition. Amendment 3, which sought to modify constitutional protections related to reproductive freedom and establish additional restrictions concerning abortion and gender transition procedures for minors failed. Its rejection leaves the reproductive freedom amendment approved by Missouri voters in 2024 in place.
Amendment 6 passed, to address Missouri’s initiative and referendum process and establish changes to the constitutional framework governing citizen-initiated measures. Its approval could affect future ballot initiatives and legislative efforts involving voter-approved measures.
Amendment 7, which proposed establishing a state investment fund intended to generate earnings that could support future tax reductions failed, leaving the proposed fund unestablished.
Amendment 8 passed, to establish constitutional provisions concerning the election and terms of county sheriffs. The measure passed by approximately 59,300 votes, making it the closest of the five statewide ballot measures.
Proposition A, which asked voters whether to uphold the congressional redistricting plan adopted during the 2025 legislative special session failed, preventing the referred legislation from taking effect through voter approval, subject to applicable legal proceedings.
According to Kutz, The next election in Perry County will be in April and will include candidates for local offices such as the school board and health department board.
