County Clerk's office works to get ready for primary

With the campaign commercials and political signs that have become prevalent leading up to Tuesday's primary, it is easy to see what a candidate does to prepare for an election, but there is another side to the election in the county clerk's office.

Cape Girardeau County Clerk Kara Clark Summers said her office has been preparing for the upcoming primary since February, with the opening of candidate filing. Around that time, she said, each registered voter was sent an updated voter registration card. From there, the workload increased.

"Our voter registration clerks are busy inputting voter registration and address changes throughout the year," Clark Summers said. "Before each election there is a lot of behind the scenes preparation."

Absentee voting begins six weeks before each election. Clark Summers said this year has seen a higher number of voters requesting absentee ballots. By the end of the day Friday, 517 absentee ballots had been requested and issued to voters. Clark Summers said the interest in Tuesday's primary has kept both her offices in Cape Girardeau and Jackson busy.

As the election approaches, Clark Summers also conducts training for election officials.

"The week prior to the election we conduct election judge training for all judges working in the election," she said. "Recent changes in voting equipment and new federal and state laws make it more important than ever to have well-trained, knowledgeable poll workers helping run our elections to give voters confidence in the elections process."

There are 194 judges working Tuesday's election.

Not only do election workers go through training, but the county's election equipment is tested to ensure every piece runs smoothly election day.

Cape Girardeau County has 34 polling locations. The clerk's office is responsible for preparing, loading and delivering supply boxes to each of those polls. Supplies include sample ballots, voting booths, voted ballot boxes, signage, ballots and the sign-in roster books. Monday morning, workers will load six trucks with election equipment and travel to all polling locations to set up the equipment.

Election day starts early for Clark Summers and her staff.

"We will be out at the polls at 5 a.m. along with the election judges assisting in setting up the polling locations," she said. "Our office will be staffed for the abundance of calls we receive on election day. My staff and I troubleshoot any problems [that] arise on election day."

Typical questions include residents wanting to know if they are registered to vote, where should they vote, what time the polls open and more. Election judges also call if they have problems with equipment or additional issues.

Once the polls close, two election judges from each polling location will return the voted ballots and supplies to the central counting center in the county administration building.

Clark Summers and her staff will stay until the final count is turned in to the state Tuesday night. She said if all goes smoothly, the day should be done by 10 p.m.

The days immediately following the primary will also be filled with election business. Election equipment will be picked up by the county maintenance and parks staff on Wednesday. A few days after the election, Clark Summers will conduct the final certification of the election. The two weeks after the election is spent wrapping up the primary, including paying bills and election judges and storing supplies until the general election Nov. 2.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

243-8600

Pertinent Addresses

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO

44 N. Lorimier St., Cape Girardeau, MO