Springfield voters decide today on whether to repeal smoking ban

County Clerk Richard Struckhoff estimates turnout to be in the neighborhood of 15 to 20 percent.

June 05, 2012|by Dustin Hodges, KY3 News | dhodges@ky3.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The ban on smoking in most public spaces has been a hot-button issue in Springfield since it was passed in April 2011 and went into effect two months later. But, after residents were able to get more than 2,100 signatures on a petition to repeal the ban, the city was forced to put it on the ballot in June for a special election with no other issues.

A 'yes' vote to repeal the ban would mean smoking would be allowed in private clubs, bowling alleys, and pool halls, as well as in bars or restaurants where at least 50 percent of the sales come from alcohol.

If voters vote 'no', the smoking ban would stay in place as is. The ban would still have the exemptions that city council passed in May, which include cigar bars or tobacco shops, bingo parlors, private clubs and on stage for theatrical productions.

Greene County Clerk Richard Struckhoff estimates the election is costing Springfield between $80,000 and $100,000.

"Each of the entities that are on the ballot has to pay the bill for the election, so it's not costing the county anything or the state or the federal government," Struckhoff said.

Struckhoff estimates turnout will be in the neighborhood of 15 to 20 percent of registered voters in Springfield. It was 18 percent when the original ban was passed in April of 2011.

The only other issues on the ballot in Greene County are in the Pleasant View Fire Protection District, which is seeking a property tax levy to support firefighting services, and in Fair Grove, which wants voters to continue a one-half percent sales tax for capital improvements.

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