If you’re intending to avoid the lines at the polls on Aug. 4 for whatever reason, the deadline to apply for either an absentee ballot or a mail-in ballot is July 22.
Electronic forms are available to ask for a mail-in ballot on the County Clerk’s section of the county’s website, jeffcomo.org.
The application is part of the normal absentee ballot request, but a box is on the form allowing a voter the opportunity to request a mail-in ballot for the Aug. 4 primary election.
The state General Assembly, in response to fears about the coronavirus and possible long lines at polling places, passed legislation earlier this year that will allow registered voters for the first time to request a mail-in ballot in lieu of voting in person on Election Day.
Absentee ballots have always been available for those who are in the military, are working and can’t make it to the polls, are ill, or are a sick person’s caretaker.
Those who cast an absentee ballot are required to supply a reason why they can’t vote in person. For the August primary election and the November general election, another reason to vote absentee has been provided.
“This year, they’ve added a new category – if you’re at risk of contracting COVID-19,” County Clerk Ken Waller said.
Those considered at risk, according to the law, include people who are 65 years old or older, are in a long-term care facility, have chronic lung disease, severe heart conditions, moderate or severe asthma, diabetes, liver disease, chronic kidney disease or are on dialysis or have a compromised immune system.
The mail-in ballot option is available for those simply worried about going to the polls but don’t fall into any of the categories to request an absentee ballot. There’s no requirement to give a reason.
However, a mail-in ballot must be notarized and must be sent to the County Clerk’s Office. For some of the provisions to cast an absentee ballot, including those at high risk of getting COVID-19, a notarization is not necessary.
Waller said his office has been busy processing both types of applications.
“Because it’s the same application form, some people have been checking off the COVID-19 excuse for an absentee ballot and also asking for a mail-in ballot,” he said. “I understand the confusion. The first time I was presented an application (for both types of ballot on one form) I decided we would assume the voter’s intent was to vote absentee, rather than mail-in. And it makes it easier for them because they won’t have to have it notarized.”
As of July 10, he said, his office had received a total of 3,497 applications for the two types of ballots. Of that number, 68 were for mail-in ballots and 947 were absentee ballots citing the COVID-19 concern.
Under state law, if your absentee ballot requires attention from a notary public – if you won’t be in the area on Election Day, a religious belief precludes you from voting on Election Day, if you’re a poll worker or if you’re in jail but otherwise can vote – notaries must handle your ballot for free.
However, that doesn’t apply to mail-in ballots.
The Missouri Secretary of State’s Office is recruiting notary publics who will offer their services to mail-in ballot voters for free; so far, none are in Jefferson County but a number are in St. Louis County. The list can be found at sos.mo.gov/elections/mailinnotary.
To make it easier for those casting mail-in or absentee ballots who need the services of a notary before submitting their ballot, the state is allowing notaries to offer virtual, or online, witnessing of ballot signing for both the August and November elections.
Waller said his office has been processing applications for both types of ballots as soon as they arrive.
“We’re trying to get them out ASAP,” he said. “People unfamiliar with the process should know that, except for military ballots, they need to be in our office by 7 p.m. on Election Day (when polls close) for us to be able to count them. And while someone with an absentee ballot can drop it off on Election Day, a mail-in ballot has to come in the mail.”
Another alternative is to cast an absentee ballot in person at the County Clerk’s Office in the Jefferson County Administration Building, 729 Maple St., Hillsboro, during normal business hours.
“People have been coming in pretty steady over the last few weeks,” Waller said, “We’ve been getting maybe eight to 10 a day, but I expect that’s going to pick up now that people are getting their election reminder postcards in the mail.”
Waller said unless something dramatic happens between now and Aug. 4, there should be sufficient election judges to staff all precincts.
“We have enough people on our list. We’ve been going through training, and that’s been taking longer than usual, because we’ve had to limit the number in each class to keep social distancing. But I’ve stressed to them that if they feel uncomfortable for any reason reporting to their poll on Aug. 4, to let me know now rather than later.”
For more information, call the County Clerk’s Office at 636-797-5486.