CAPE AND JACKSON: VOTER-REGISTRATION SITES ARE OPEN TODAY

To ensure everyone has a chance to register for the Nov. 5 elections before Wednesday's deadline, two voter-registration outlets will be open today from 9 a.m. to noon, said Rodney Miller, Cape Girardeau County clerk.

The voter-registration office in the annex of Common Pleas Courthouse in Cape Girardeau, and the county clerk's office, 1 Barton Square in Jackson, are open today for those who may not have a chance to register during the week.

Miller said the offices also will be open the Saturday before the election and possibly other weekend hours, depending on voter demands.

Other registration sites will not be open today but will register potential voters during regular weekday hours. The additional sites are the Regional Library in Jackson and the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

Cape Girardeau residents also may register at additional sites (not open today) such as the Department of Revenue, Employment Security, Division of Family Services and the Cape Girardeau County Health Department.

Those who are 17 and will be 18 between now and the Nov. 5 election will be allowed to register to vote. Miller said that just because someone has a driver's license doesn't automatically entitle him to vote.

"Because of the Motor Voter Bill, they are asked if they want to register to vote," he said. "But they aren't automatically registered when they get their license."

Secretary of State Bekki Cook said that voting is a citizen's duty.

"Voting is not just a right, but it is a responsibility we have as citizens of a democracy," said Cook, who will face-off against Republican candidate John Hancock in the November election.

"It is our patriotic duty," she said.

There has been an increase in registrations this year, and many local election officials and organizations have been conducting voter-registration drives, Cook said.

"But anyone who has missed these opportunities to register needs to do so right away to be eligible to vote in November," she said.

Cook said presidential elections traditionally draw the highest voter turnout. In 1992, a record number of Missourians -- 2.4 million people -- went to the polls. That represented 78 percent of the state's registered voters.

"I hope anyone who is not registered will take the time to do so," Cook said.

Registered voters wishing to vote by absentee ballot need to request a ballot and have them turned in by the day before the election, Miller said.

Absentee ballots can be requested by mail until Oct. 30, but must be returned by Nov. 4 to be counted, Miller said. Mail absentee ballot requests to: Office of the County Clerk, 1 Barton Square, Jackson, Mo., 63755.