In the Aug. 3 primaries, residents of counties throughout the Missouri side of the metropolitan region will choose candidates for top county offices in the November election. The candidates run in partisan elections, though most issues that come before county governments have very little to do with partisan politics.

Here is a look at the top local races and ballot questions.

St. Louis City

Circuit Clerk: The only contested primary in the city finds incumbent Mariano Favazza facing a strong Democratic primary challenge from Jane Schweitzer, an attorney. Since no Republicans filed, the winner will hold the $111,000-a-year job for the next four years.

In days of yore, the city clerk was the most powerful patronage office in the city. Over the years, the clerk gradually has been stripped of most of his powers. The judges think the clerk should work for them. Mr. Favazza thinks the clerk should remain an independently elected official answerable only to citizens.

Right now the judges' view prevails. In February, a Cole County Circuit judge ruled — in lawsuit brought by Mr. Favazza — that a committee of judges from around the state had been consistent with a Missouri Supreme Court order when it granted "appointing authority" over deputy clerks to the city Circuit Court's presiding judge. The ruling is under appeal.

Does this make any difference to anyone but lawyers and litigants? None, except as the clerk's office should be run efficiently and in a businesslike manner.

Ms. Schweitzer, 57, says she would see to that. She has at least the tacit support of many judges and those in the legal community as well as from many Democratic ward organizations unhappy with Mr. Favazza's independent streak. He threatened to challenge Mayor Francis Slay in the last election. He has established a working relationship with South County Republican state Sen. Jim Lembke, a major critic of the way judges are selected.

Mr. Favazza, 57, boasts that has modernized the clerk's computer systems so that police now are notified within four hours after a warrant is issued. Citizens can go online to see if any suspicious persons are violating neighborhood protection orders. Mr. Favazza has served a useful role in checking judicial over-stepping.

But this is all inside baseball. For voters, the only question that matters is who would help the courts run most efficiently. Our answer is Jane Schweitzer. St. Louis County

County executive: Incumbent Charlie A. Dooley of Northwoods, a Democrat, can anticipate a strong challenge from Republican Bill Corrigan of Ladue in November. Both men have token primary opposition and deserve the support of their parties' voters.

Proposition 2: This be-careful-what-you-ask-for ballot question would make the county assessor's job an elected position. Now, the assessor is appointed by the county executive. Proponents say it would make the assessor more accountable for his actions.

More likely it will make the assessor more reluctant to do his job professionally and thoroughly. The biennial job of assessing real estate for taxation is difficult enough without having to worry about political repercussions.

Few people really understand assessment, except to believe their assessments are too high. When assessments go up, taxing bodies like school and fire districts have the option to roll back rates to keep tax levels steady; some do, many don't. But angry homeowners would rather complain than vote in April elections when school and fire board members are elected.

Curiously, a similar elect-the-assessor measure will be on the statewide ballot in November, the effect of which would be to allow everyone in Missouri to require St. Louis and St. Louis County to elect their assessors.

Historically, the biggest assessment problem in Missouri is not high assessments in urban counties, but low assessments outstate, where elected assessors know how to keep their jobs. And they wonder why their schools have problems.

Vote no on Proposition 2 in August. And vote against the idea in November, too. St. Charles County

County Executive: Incumbent Steve Ehlmann is being challenged in the Republican primary by political newcomer Charles Davis. Mr. Ehlmann, a former state legislator and circuit court judge, has 21 years of solid public service and deserves re-election. Jefferson County

County Executive: For the first time since changing from an old-style county commission to charter government in 2008, Jefferson County voters will choose a county executive. Chuck Banks, a Democrat from Pevely, is the incumbent, having been presiding commissioner when charter government was instituted. He has been a solid voice for government modernization and regional cooperation, and is the choice in the Democratic primary over Randy B. Holman of Festus, the longtime county assessor.

In the Republican primary for county executive, former county Treasurer Ken Waller of Herculaneum has the edge in experience over Avery A. Fortenberry of Barnhart. Franklin County

Presiding commissioner: Incumbent Ed Hillhouse, a Republican, is stepping down after two terms. Gary Getman of St. Clair is the only Democrat who has filed. Three Republicans are seeking the nomination. Retiring State Sen. John Griesheimer of Washington has the strong edge in experience and gets the nod over Jerry Landing of St. Clair and Ron Keeven of New Haven.