The Phelps County primary election is taking place on Tuesday, Aug. 4 and citizens will have decisions to make regarding local candidates. Party winners of the primary election will advance to the Nov. 3 general election.

Registered voters in Wards 1, 2 and 3 will vote at Nelson Hart Community Hall. Those in Ward 4 and outside city limits will vote from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the St. James Senior Center.

Watch for election results on our website - www.threeriverspublishing.com. Complete election story will be in the Aug. 12 edition due to publication deadlines.

For State Auditor, incumbent Scott Fitzpatrick is running for re-election against Gerald (Jerry) Wistrand Jr. in the Republican primary. The victor will take on the winner of the Democratic primary election between Quentin Wilson and Gregory Upchurch. Libertarian Party candidate Dustin Coffell is also running for State Auditor.

Running for the United States Representative of the 8th Congressional District are Republican incumbent Jason Smith, challenged by fellow Republican Gordon Heslop. The winner will take on the victor of the Democratic race between Chris Reichard and Frank A. Barnitz in the general election. Libertarian Party candidate Rebecca Sharpe Lombard is also running for the United States Representative of the 8th District in the primary. 

Four Republican candidates are running for the District 16 State Senator seat. Justin Dan Brown, who has served since 2019, will be term-limited and will leave office in 2027. Bill Hardwick, Phillip Lohmann, Don Mayhew and Hannah Kelly are running in the Republican primary. The winner will take on Democratic candidate Virginia Staabs in the general election.

Three Republicans are running for the Phelps County Recorder of Deeds with no Democratic contenders. Joshua Meyer, Lauri Kean and Lori Lunceford are the Republican candidates. Current Robin Kordes was the first Recorder of Deeds in the county and has served the position since 2002. 

Absentee ballot voting can be done in person from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through July 23 to Aug. 3 and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Phelps County Clerk’s Office. Ballots may be returned by the voter in person, by the voter’s next of kin, or by mail to the County Clerk’s Office at 200 North Main Street, Rolla, MO 65401.

Questions regarding voting or absentee ballots should be directed to County Clerk Laura Johnson at 573-458-6115.