Poplar Bluff polls see large numbers

When Tuesday’s election votes are tallied, Tony Rose of North Fifth Street would like for the United States to be the head again not the tail on the world stage.

Rose listed other issues concerning him such as COVID-19, income, as well as the overall direction of the country.

He was just one of the many Poplar Bluff fourth and fifth ward residents voting Tuesday at Temple Baptist Church and First United Methodist Church.

Many of the voters at the Methodist church were decked out in red, white and blue.

Rose and the majority of voters at both polling places were also wearing masks.

Dorothy Hunt of Vaden Street said, she made sure she voted for the right candidate. Hunt hopes Poplar Bluff doesn’t see a lot of big problems. Before coming to vote, Hunt had talked to a friend in Atlanta, Georgia, where they are preparing for a lot of problems and are boarding up places.

Linda Davis of Foley Street, who was voter 319 shortly after 10 a.m., at the Methodist church, said some of the issues on the ballot were confusing.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs said he was voting for pro law and order candidates. He said there is a concern with all the mail in voting, but he hopes for civility no matter who wins or loses.

The Rev. Dr. Ron Webb said, “A lot of things are happening in our country. We are divided economically and are stressed and depressed about the pandemic. We have lost over 200,000. We are needing direction in our country and racial unity.”

The majority of the voters agreed “this has been a crazy year.”

Voters at Temple Baptist Church appeared to be turning out in large numbers. According to one voter, there were already more than 700 voters minutes before 11 a.m.

County commission candidate Don “Butch” Anderson said, “I’ve never seen it like this. At 7 a.m. they were lined back up the street on Carlton Lane. We have a lot more traffic than we usually do. I’ve been in this office 12 years and every four years I have run and I have never seen the voter turnout like this.”

Bill Kenser, a 94-year-old veteran, said he voted because he is educated about the issues. He spent 25 years in the military before he retired.

While Kenser said he keeps educated about the issues, Cassy Montgomery said, “I always have voted. It is a duty of every citizen to get out and vote every year, always.”

Montgomery stressed it is the citizens’ “duty to get yourself educated as much as you can and make the best decisions.”

Donna Holloway said, “I always vote. It is a privilege and a responsibility to vote. I feel strongly about voting.”

She, like many others, agreed “it might be a month or longer before we know the results.”

Dee Hunt says she is a conservative, who votes every election. Hunt’s suggestion is, “let God lead you when you vote.”

Hunt was a little more optimistic about the tallies, “Hopefully we’ll have election results soon.”

Voting is one’s “accountability,” said Melody Miller of Bluff Estates. Citizens need “to make sure they are doing their part. It is important our voices are heard. We have a choice to vote, thank God.”

Miller said, “we are having a good turn out.”