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• Vote on Prop N, the countywide smoking ban on Nov. 3 ballot, will shape smoking policy in region 

It's a good time to be a St. Louis County resident who routinely votes. If you like attention and influence, that is.

Both sides in the battle over Proposition N, the county's smoking ban measure, are focusing their last-minute efforts on people who go to the polls -- not just in high-profile election years but also in so-called off years like 2009. With low turnout expected, reaching these voters is crucial for the campaigns.

Then there are the interested observers from St. Louis who will be closely monitoring the election results. The St. Louis Board of Aldermen voted 20-7 last week to approve a smoking ban that is contingent on the county enacting its ban. That means county voters will have the definitive say on the smoking ban issue for much of the region -- at least for now.

In St. Louis County, Ballwin and most recently Clayton have passed indoor smoking bans. (Clayton's ban doesn't kick in until July 2010.) Kirkwood voters will weigh in on Tuesday with Proposition 1. But most eyes will be on the county measure, added to the November ballot after the St. Louis County Council voted 4-3 in late August to bring the proposed smoking ban to voters. . . .

What about costs of this effort? As the Beacon reported this week, relatively little money has been spent on either side. The pro-Proposition N group, County Citizens for Cleaner Air, as of earlier this week reported raising only $12,336, spending $2,502.59, with $9,833.50 on hand. The opposition, Citizens Against Proposition N, reported raising $5,000, spending $11,867, with $104.85 on hand, and a debt of $11,972.

Both sides say they plan to push their campaigning in the final days.

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