Only 8.98% of registered voters cast ballots in municipal election
MEMPHIS, Mo. — Voter turnout in Scotland County’s general municipal election Tuesday was notably low, with just 243 of the county’s 2,705 registered voters casting ballots—a turnout of only 8.98%. Despite the light participation, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 1, a county-wide measure to renew a one-half of one percent sales tax for county road improvements.
Proposition 1 passed with 84.7% approval, earning 205 “yes” votes to 37 “no” votes, according to unofficial results. All precincts reported a 100% count.
In Gorin, incumbent Donald Pflum was elected East Ward alderman, receiving 62.5% of the vote against three write-in challengers. In the West Ward, Billy Bergheger edged out Dorothy Kussman by a single vote, 6 to 5.
Gorin’s mayoral race was interesting Write-in candidates collectively garnered 13 votes, surpassing Francis Nicholson, who received 6 votes and was elected mayor.
In Memphis, Mike Stone won the East Ward alderman seat with 75.7% of the vote, defeating Jenny Rebecca Aldridge. In the West Ward, incumbent Michael R. Gundy was re-elected with 96.8% of the vote.
For the Scotland County Nursing Home District 4 director position, all 13 votes cast were for write-in candidates, as no one filed for the seat.
Elsewhere in the county:
• In the Village of Arbela, Brenda Giberson and Christi Wiley were elected trustees, each receiving 50% of the six total votes cast.
• In Rutledge, Carol McCabe and Maynard Johnston each secured one vote to claim the two trustee seats.
• In the Village of Granger, no votes were cast in the trustee race, where no candidates had filed.
• No votes were reported for the Knox R-I School Board Director race, despite three candidates appearing on the ballot.
