A new poll predicts Missouri election results for may come down to the wire.
According to a Monmouth University Poll, Missouri elections are so close, candidates for the U.S. senate and governor are polling within 1 percent or less of each other.
The poll places incumbent Republican Senator, Roy Blunt, holding a 1 percent lead to Democrat Jason Kander. The numbers show Blunt polling at 47 percent, Kander at 46 percent and Libertarian Jonathan Dine at 2 percent of the vote.
The race for governor is even closer: a virtual tie. The poll has Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster and Republican Navy SEAL Eric Greitens each at 4
6 percent of the vote and 2 percent for Libertarian Cisse Spragins.
The races are so close it has many voters choosing people instead of parties.
Many MU students stopped by multiple voting stations on MU campus including Memorial Union and Reynolds Alumni Center to make their voice heard in a crucial election that can reshape the country’s political climate.
Some of the students waiting in line were first-time voters for president. Industrial engineering sophomore Conner Brown said participating in the general election made him “feel like an adult.” Brown holds a negative view on this year’s candidates. “I think that the candidates this year just don’t accurately represent the American population,” he said.
Junior Natalie Pace voted for Hilary Clinton for her approach on dealing with social justice issues. “I don’t have a very high opinion on Donald Trump, but I’m not voting for Hilary because I don’t like Trump,” she said. “I’m voting for Hilary because I agree with a lot of the stuff that she stands on.”
MU student and voter, Ben Jarzombek, said he voted for a range of candidates and issues.
“I actually voted across the ballot. Not being from Columbia, I made sure I educated myself before I voted to make sure I understood the issues that would be effecting me, here, living in Columbia for the next four to five years,” said Jarzombek.
Despite the close local races in Missouri, the poll for the presidential race has Republican Nominee Donald Trump ahead of Democratic Nominee Hillary Clinton by 14 percent. The poll predicts Trump taking 52 percent of the vote and Clinton taking 38 percent with four percent for Green Party Jill Stein and 2 percent for Libertarian Gary Johnson.
The poll, which was conducted from Friday November 4 through Monday November 7, was conducted over the phone with a ± 4.9 percent margin for error.
Polls in Missouri have been open since 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. tonight. Anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be permitted to vote.
