Four Cape voting precincts being combined into two

Four Cape Girardeau voting precincts will be consolidated to two in time for the Feb. 3 presidential primary election, Cape Girar-deau County clerk Rodney Miller said.

Precincts 4 and 5 will be combined and will both vote at the Centenary United Methodist Church.

Precinct 5 had voted at the First Baptist Church on Broadway, but Miller said since Southeast Missouri State University purchased the church, this would be a good time to consolidate the precincts.

The Centenary United Methodist Church is at 300 N. Ellis, only a few blocks from the Baptist church.

Precincts 6 and 11 will also merge. Both precincts already voted at Grace United Methodist Church at the corner of Broadway and Caruthers.

Miller said voters will not notice a difference, but the formality will free up a few election judges which will be able to work other precincts.

"We always have problems finding enough election judges," Miller said.

In addition, the merging of the precincts will save the county money down the road when federal legislation on new ballot technology is enforced.

Also this week, the clerk's office will be sending out new voter's registration cards.

Registration cards sent

County clerks are required by law to provide the voters with new ID cards every two years.

There will be 44,000 yellow cards mailed. The cards identify the districts in which voters live and help ensure they are voting at the correct polling places.

Registered voters who have moved can change their address in person or by mail using the back of their voter ID cards. The deadline to be newly registered for the Feb. 3 election is Jan. 7. This can be done at the clerk's offices at the county administration building in uptown Jackson or at 44 N. Lorimier in Cape Girardeau.

Registered voters who do not receive new identification cards by the end of January should contact the clerk's office.