Absentee ballot deadline shifted to avoid Christmas conflict

On Feb. 5, the same day voters choose a replacement for former state representative Nathan Cooper, they may also vote in the state's presidential preference primary.

Absentee ballots are supposed to be available on the sixth Tuesday before an election. That would mean Christmas Day in the case of the Feb. 5 election. Government offices are closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Cape Girardeau County Clerk Kara Clark said absentee ballots will be mailed Dec. 21 to permanently disabled voters who have used them in the past.

Other voters, from active-duty military or eligible family members to able-bodied voters in Southeast Missouri with a good reason for not getting to polls Feb. 5, may apply for an absentee ballot starting Dec. 26. Completed absentee ballots must be returned to the elections office before 7 p.m. Feb. 5.

Clark said the last day to register to vote in the Feb. 5 election is Jan. 9. U.S. citizens who will be 18 by the date of the next election may register to vote by filling out a form and providing proper identification.

In Cape Girardeau, prospective voters can get registration forms from the registration office at 44 N. Lorimier St., the Cape Girardeau Public Library at 301 S. Broadview St., the county license bureau at 112 S. Spanish St., the Missouri Division of Employment Security at 6 Girardeau Court and the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center at 1121 Linden St.

In Jackson, voter registration forms are at the Cape Girardeau County Clerk's office at 1 Barton Square, Riverside Regional Library at 204 S. Union St. and the county license bureau at 125 E. Main St.

To learn more about voter registration, call 243-3547.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127