Spring Election 2022 . . . K-14 Approved, Potosi Fire No Had 14.6% of County Voters

Washington County had only 1,896 votes cast in Washington County and 13,019 registered voters eligible (registered as of February, 2022), the turnout percentage was just about 14.56%. County voters didn’t have many decisions to make on the ballots as there was no county-wide question.

All school districts had to have elections, Kingston K-14 also had a proposition on general obligation bonds, for construction that passed.

The questions that may have seen the biggest discussion were the Potosi Fire Protection District Levy, Potosi R-3 School Board, Kingston K-14 School Board and the Kingston Proposition.

The Potosi Fire tax levy question was a 10¢ a year, for five years requested by the District; that failed with a close margin.

Kingston K-14 School Board had a single seat for for a one year unexpired term with Amanda Ward and Jordan Kincaid as candidates, Kincaid won that race. There were two Board seats for a three year term with Katie Pyatt, Sheila Sampson, Linda Maness, Bonnie Daugherty, John Partney, Jaime Morrison and Kevin Missey as candidates. Sampson and Missey were elected.

K-14 also had a ‘Proposition K.I.D.S.’ on the ballot to allow the school to refinance general obligation bonds and build a new high school gym and fine art rooms as well as additional remodeling. The question passed with a two to one margin.

On Potosi R-3 School Board, there were three candidates to fill two seats. The two incumbents were Rhonda Phares and Dr. Jim Robart for re-election. The other candidate on the ballot was Andy Kincaid. Elected were Rhonda Phares 617, Andy Kincaid 599 with Jim Robart receiving 369.

Valley R-6 School voters had four candidates vying for election, Patricia Masson, Trishanna McCoy, Brent McClain and Tess Weeks. The results were Pat Masson 67, Trishanna McCoy 174, Brent McClain 131 and Tess Weeks 91.

Richwoods R-7 School voters had three candidates for two positions. Candidates on the ballot were Melissa Thurmon, Michelle Emily and Ted Barrett. Election winners were Michelle Emily 55 and Ted Barrett 34.

Bismarck R-V had three candidates for two seats, Sullivan School had three candidates for two positions and West County R-IV had three candidates for two seats as well. While Washington County has a small number of potential voters for these races, complete results weren’t available at press time.

Several boards did not have to hold elections as the number of candidates filed matched the number of seats open on their respective boards.

The area entities included with no election were Washington County Memorial Hospital; Washington County Ambulance District - Sub-Districts #1 & #4; Washington County Central Dispatch - Districts #1, #2 and Chairman; Caledonia Fire District; Irondale Fire District; Richwoods Fire District; Sullivan Fire District; Springtown, Belgrade & District #4 (Holiday Shores) Public Water Districts.

In Municipal Elections the Village of Caledonia had two candidates for the Board of Trustees and were electing two positions. John M. Robinson III and Nina Gilliam were both candidates for re-election. John Robinson III got 21 votes and Nina Gilliam got 17 votes.

The City of Irondale elected a mayor and two Aldermen. Candidate for Mayor was Jason Saylor with declared write-in William Hall as an opponent. For Alderman, Elaine Pulliam had 27 votes and Paula Forrester garnered 24 votes.

The Village of Mineral Point had six candidates for three positions. Tina Hammers 13, Robert Lee Jr. 15, Cody Hammers 12, Matt Wilshire 20, Rebecca Wilshire 18 and Nick Courtois 19. Mineral Point also had a Special Election for a 1% city sales tax, the vote was Yes 17 and No 16.

The City of Potosi had two aldermen races for Potosi on the ballot, Ward I Alderman Jim Harvey and Ward II Alderman Elmer Akers were both unopposed.

Voters did not have to spend long in the polling places as few questions appeared on any particular ballot around the County.