COOK URGES MISSOURIANS TO CAST BALLOTS

Missouri Secretary of State Bekki Cook says Missourians should get out and vote Tuesday.

Cook brought her "get-out-the-vote" message to Cape Girardeau Monday.

She delivered that message in an interview at the Southeast Missourian office before attending a political fund raiser for 8th District Democratic congressional candidate Tony Heckemeyer.

"It's everybody's responsibility to vote," she said. "It's an obligation of citizenship in this country."

She said Missouri voters should become informed on the issues and then plan ahead so they can schedule time to vote on Election Day.

The polls across the state will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Cook said one vote can make a difference.

"It's OK to vote your own self-interest," she said.

Cook said Missourians can cast absentee ballots if they won't be able to go to the polls on Election Day.

Absentee ballots can be cast at county clerks' offices as late as Monday, the day before the election.

Cook said the media have done a good job of helping her office get out the message that Missourians should vote.