Missouri voters will decide on whether to allow early voting

More than 30 states in the U.S. allow early voting without an excuse, and Missouri could soon join those numbers if voters approve a measure on the Nov. 4 ballot.

State Rep. Tony Dugger, R-Hartville, sponsored the measure that seeks to establish an early voting period beginning with the 2016 general election. The period would run for six days during normal business hours and would not include weekends.

Earlier this year, it looked like the proposal could compete against a citizens petition for a ballot initiative creating a six-week early voting period that would have included weekends and hours outside normal business times. The petition fell short of the number of signatures needed to land on the November ballot.

State Democrats, especially those who favored the citizen-driven initiative, largely oppose the measure, while many Republicans support it. Dugger has touted his measure as less costly to counties because it requires the state to pay any new expenses incurred by local election authorities.

Democratic Secretary of State Jason Kander supports adding Missouri to the list of states that allow early voting, but has spoken out against this measure. He said he believes the way the early voting days are scheduled will confuse voters. That confusion makes it more difficult for local election authorities to maintain the integrity of an election, he said.

If Amendment 6 is approved by voters, it would allow for early voting from Wednesday through Friday two weeks before Election Day, and from Monday through Wednesday one week before Election Day.

Studies on the effect of early voting on voter turnout have produced conflicting results. A 2013 study by a team of political scientists at the University of Wisconsin found early voting is associated with lower turnout when it is implemented by itself. A study published in 2008 found a short-lived increase in turnout that disappears by the second presidential election in which it is available.

Cape Girardeau County Clerk Kara Clark Summers said early voting is an issue she's heard about since she first took office in 2006. She has not taken an official position on the amendment, but said she understands the pros and cons.

It's an added convenience for voters who might prefer to cast their ballots a little earlier or to larger counties that could use the relief on busy election days, she said. When she considers the early voting proposal, as a county clerk and as a citizen, her biggest question is the cost.

While the measure requires the state to pay any new expenses incurred by local election authorities, saving counties such as Cape Girardeau that operate on limited funds each election, Clark Summers pointed out the money still comes from taxpayer dollars.

Clark Summers also cited the unenthusiastic results found in studies observing voter turnout and early voting. She pointed out Missouri voters already can submit absentee ballots by mail or in person if they are unable to vote on Election Day. That process begins six weeks before the election.

Ultimately, she said she tries to consider the proposal and its costs in the same way she considers any purchase: Is it a need or a want?

"Is there a need [for early voting]? I guess the voters will decide that," she said.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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