7 novembre, 2006 21:47

Missouri Voters Narrowly Approve Stem Cell Ballot Measure

Nov 8, 2006 09:11 AM

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Strong support in urban areas of a state constitutional amendment protecting stem cell research offset widespread opposition in rural counties as the measure narrowly passed with just over 51 percent of the vote.

Preliminary results showed the amendment winning support from 51.1 percent of the electorate with 98 percent of precincts reporting, a margin of about 46,800 votes.

While majorities of voters in 90 of the state's 114 counties rejected the measure, 13 counties and the city of St. Louis had enough votes to push the amendment over the top.

Heavy support in St. Louis, Kansas City and those two cities' suburbs proved critical to the ballot measure's success.

In the city of St. Louis, amendment supporters outnumbered opponents by about 31,000. In St. Louis County, the margin of victory was 55,000.

And in Jackson County, which encompasses much of Kansas City, the margin of victory nearly reached 48,000, with 99.2 percent of precincts reporting results.