SCHOOL-ISSUES ABSENTEE VOTING LIGHT

With just over two weeks before voters decide the fate of two Cape Girardeau school funding proposals, absentee ballots are beginning to trickle in.

On April 1, voters will decide if the Cape Girardeau Board of Education can raise the property tax levy 69 cents for each $100 assessed valuation.

Absentee ballots have been available since February, but Cape Girardeau County Clerk Rodney Miller said only a few have been cast. The number is growing, and he expects them to come in as Election Day approaches.

"I think we will probably have more interest in this election because of the bond issue in Cape Girardeau," Miller said.

Typically, municipal and off-year elections have low voter turnout, both at the polls and for absentee ballots.

Absentee ballots can be cast two ways: in person or by mail.

Those who would like to vote in person prior to April 1 should go to the county clerk's office at the County Administration Building in Jackson or the clerk's office at the Courthouse Annex in Cape Girardeau. Absentee ballots can be cast in person through March 31.

Those who would like to request an absentee ballot by mail can pick up forms at either of the clerk's offices or can send a letter to the clerk's office requesting a ballot. The letter needs to include the voter's name, address and where they are registered, and must be signed. If a voter wants the ballot mailed to a different address, that address should be included in the letter. Absentee ballots can be requested by mail through 5 p.m. the Wednesday before the election, March 26.

The ballots must be notarized before being sent back to the clerk's office, except for those individuals who request an absentee ballot because of illness or disability. Ballots must be returned by March 31.

Mail requests for absentee ballots to: Rodney Miller, County Clerk; 1 Barton Sq.; Jackson, Mo. 63755.

The deadline has passed for individuals to register to vote in the April election. But people can still change their voter registration if they have moved to a new address within the county. Voters need to send a letter to the county clerk's office indicating their new address along with a signature. Individuals may also change their registration at either county clerk office. Voters can change their registration at the polls.

Cape Girardeau school officials are encouraging people to vote. They have developed a 5500 Club, and hope to collect pledges of 5,500 yes votes prior to Election Day. Research of previous campaigns shows that at least 5,500 yes votes are needed for the school issue to pass.

In addition to the 5,500 club, other campaign activities are under way. For example, the Student Council at Alma Schrader Elementary School decided to do something in support of the bond issue. Sixth-grader Whitney Pingel, student council president, said the youngsters held a bake sale and raised $274.

"We hope this will help us win," Pingel said. She explained that students at her school want voters to say yes because it would mean air conditioning, additional computers and eventually more space. "We're kind of crammed in here with 30 kids in a class," she said.

On March 7, the youngsters sold cookies and cakes at the three Union Planters banks. Union Planters is the Alma Schrader adopt-a-school sponsor.

"I didn't think we'd raise so much money," Pingel said. "But people were real nice, and people seemed interested in the bond issue."