Divided electorate narrowly approves 'Right to Farm'

Source: Columbia Missourian

As the minutes ticked late into the night, both supporters and opponents of Amendment 1 anxiously watched the gap between "no" and "yes" votes tighten. A 7 percent lead for the measure to "forever guarantee" constitutional protections for farmers at 9 p.m. dwindled to less than a single percent by 11:20.

When the final returns came in, the "right to farm" amendment passed by a scant 2,528 votes out of 994,974 cast. Advocates on each side of the issue said they expected a recount.

Boone County residents overwhelmingly opposed the amendment with 18,462 voters, or 67 percent opposed and 8,954, or 33 percent in favor.

Read more: http://www.columbiamissourian.com/a/177463/divided-electorate-narrowly-approves-right-to-farm/