I have written many election-related columns as editor, but I tend to publish them just before Election Day. This year, I thought I’d offer my election reminders a little sooner.
I’m writing this earlier rather than later because absentee voting is already underway in Pettis and Johnson counties for the April 4 municipal election and I know that it is becoming an increasingly popular way to participate in the democratic process.
For every Missouri election, absentee voting begins six weeks before Election Day, so some voters have already been offering their opinions since Feb. 21. Absentee voters are unable to visit their polling location in person on Election Day, but they must have a reason for that absence. I typically vote in person, but I took advantage of absentee voting several years ago when I went on a family vacation during an election. I was thankful for the alternative and opted for the in-person option at the Pettis County Clerk’s Office, which was a quick process.
The absentee voting process has improved over the last year, as Missouri implemented no-excuse absentee voting (known as early voting in many states) for the November 2022 election. Continuing this year, in the two weeks prior to Election Day, voters need no particular reason for voting early.
The last day to request a mailed absentee ballot is two Wednesdays before the election. The last day to absentee vote is Monday, April 3. The Clerk’s Office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, absentee voting will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 1.
Whether you plan to visit your polling location, mail in your absentee ballot, or utilize no-excuse voting at the Clerk’s Office, 215 E. Fifth St. in Sedalia, you must be registered to do so. The last day to register to vote in the April election is Wednesday, March 8. People can change their address even on Election Day if they moved within Pettis County, but anyone who moved from a different county is considered a new registration.
Municipal elections frequently have low voter turnout, something I’ve never understood. I realize that casting my vote for our next president, governor, senator or representative is an essential part of my duty as an American citizen, but those votes are no more essential than a municipal election vote. These ballot issues will affect your taxes and, in turn, how your taxes are put to work. The candidates you choose are responsible for properly handling taxpayers’ dollars and can enact new policies, programs or ordinances that affect our everyday lives.
While some areas of Pettis County will have more items on their ballot than others, every voter will have at least four: two questions for Pettis County, one question for the Pettis County Fire Protection District, and choosing two of six candidates for the Pettis County Health Center Board of Trustees.
Other notable races include one seat for Sedalia City Council Ward 2, three seats for Sedalia School District 200 Board of Education, and one seat for Pettis County Ambulance District Board of Directors sub-district 2. School board races are also in the Green Ridge, Northwest, Smithton and La Monte districts. There are also ballot questions for the City of Sedalia, Sedalia 200, and La Monte R-4 School District. Some voters on the county line might also see additional races or questions for bordering districts.
The Democrat does not endorse candidates or issues, something we haven’t done for years because we no longer have an editorial board to do so. Our opinion columnists have that option, speaking on their behalf, not the Democrat. Instead, the Democrat does something that I consider much more valuable for our readers: we inform you.
If you’ve read the Democrat this week, you’ve noticed we’re already starting our election coverage. In each edition for a few weeks, you’ll find candidate questionnaires for every contested race in Pettis County and articles about the ballot questions. We want every voter to make their own choice when marking their ballots, but we want them to make informed choices.
We’re covering candidate forums, publishing articles in print and online and live-streaming the events on our Facebook page. Some candidates and organizations promoting the ballot questions have Facebook pages or informational flyers to offer further information.
If you need more information, visit pettisclerk.com or facebook.com/PettisCountyElectionsOffice or call the Clerk’s office at 660-826-5000 ext. 400.
There is no shortage of election information, and I encourage you to check out as much as possible before picking up a ballot.
