Voting preview

The November general election is just a month away, and voters may be surprised by at least one major change in Missouri's voting laws.

For months, a great deal of attention has been focused on a provision of a bill adopted earlier this year in the Missouri Legislature to require voters to have photo IDs when they go to the polls. A judge has ruled that requirement is unconstitutional. His decision is being appealed.

But the state's voting laws still require voters to have identification when they cast ballots.

For most, this will be -- as has been the case for many years -- the voter-registration card issued by the county clerk.

Voters who don't have those cards with them can still show a driver's license or a utility bill with a current address.

But the big change this year is the elimination of straight-ticket voting. Nearly 40 percent of Missouri's voters in the 2004 presidential election year voted a straight ticket, officials estimate.

Straight-ticket voting required only one ballot choice for candidates. Now that straight-ticket voting is no longer allowed, voters will have to indicate which candidate they prefer in every race.

And don't forget the other issues that will be on the ballot, including proposed constitutional amendments. Those issues require voters to vote on each item.

Voters should be as informed as possible before they go to the polls. Sample ballots will be published in newspapers, including the Southeast Missourian, twice before the election. This is an opportunity to become familiar with the candidates and the issues before Election Day. And be prepared to make a lot of choices if you have voted a straight ticket in the past.