Plainclothes deputies to be at polling places in Springfield region

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A southwest Missouri county revised plans to have sheriff's deputies stationed at many of its polling places during the general election.

Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller, a Republican, told election judges Thursday about 45 polling places will have a deputy inside Tuesday, and additional deputies would move between the county's 30 other polling places.

The plan was for the deputies to wear a traditional uniform, with badge and weapon visible, while at polling places Tuesday.

He said he sought the help from deputies initially because voters and election judges expressed concerns about polling-place safety "due to the tension and conflict they have witnessed or experienced related to this election cycle."

But Schoeller said in a statement late Saturday the deputies now will wear civilian clothes and conceal their badge and weapon, The Springfield News-Leader reported. He also said additional deputies now will respond only when called upon.

He said the changes stem from "some concern expressed over the past two days" about his decision to station deputies at polling places. He said his office "has listened to those concerns and taken them into consideration."

"Safety and access must be balanced to ensure voters have confidence they can vote in a safe and non-threatening environment," Schoeller said.

It's unclear just how common it is to station law enforcement inside polling places.

A spokeswoman for the Missouri Secretary of State's office said that office does not track that information.

Skyler Johnston, executive director of the Greene County Democrats, said Thursday a visible weapon "could be intimidating for some voters," and "any kind of police presence puts some people on edge."

Johnston also acknowledged Schoeller's concerns to a degree, saying Thursday: "I know that there is a potential for disruptive elements this election.

"I am confident they are not going to be coming from our side," he said.

Danette Proctor, head of the Greene County Republican Party, previously said she supported Schoeller's plan.

"I do have an opinion. I think it's wonderful," Proctor said Thursday.