No-excuse absentee voting begins Tuesday in Cape Girardeau County

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — Registered voters in Cape Girardeau County can begin casting their ballots Tuesday, Oct. 20, as Missouri’s no-excuse absentee voting period opens ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

The two-week voting period allows registered voters to cast their ballots in person without providing a reason for voting before Election Day.

Cape Girardeau County Clerk Kara Clark Summers said the option gives residents more flexibility when deciding when to vote.

“This gives anybody the opportunity for any reason, if they’re just for their convenience, that they can come in and vote at one of our office locations,” Summers said. “We have a satellite office in Cape Girardeau and then our main office in Jackson.”

Voters can cast their ballots at either of the county’s two designated locations:

• Cape Girardeau: County Clerk’s satellite office, 2311 Bloomfield Road, Suite 102.
• Jackson: County Clerk’s main office, 1908 County Courthouse, 100 Court St., Suite 301.

Both locations are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional voting hours are available Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. to noon.The final day for in-person absentee voting is Monday, Nov. 2, with both offices remaining open until 5 p.m.

Voters should bring an acceptable photo ID, such as a Missouri driver’s license, Missouri nondriver’s license, U.S. passport or qualifying military identification.

Summers said the county has also mailed sample ballots to voters, giving them an opportunity to review the candidates and issues before arriving at the polls.

“We did send a sample ballot to every voter for this election so that people will know, be able to study the candidates and issues before they come and vote,” Summers said. “And that way they’ll be prepared when they decide to do so.”

Absentee voting with a qualifying excuse began Sept. 22. Unlike the no-excuse in-person voting period, voters requesting an absentee ballot by mail must meet eligibility requirements.

The deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot is Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 5 p.m. Completed mailed absentee ballots must be received by the county clerk’s office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information about voting locations, absentee ballot requests and election requirements, visit the Cape Girardeau County Clerk’s website or call 573-243-3547, option 2.