General Municipal Election Right Around the Corner
The Missouri General Assembly is currently in the middle of its annual legislative spring break, which is always a great opportunity to get caught up and prepare for the second half of session. Since the Legislature is on break, I wanted to use this week’s column to highlight the upcoming General Municipal Election on Tuesday, April 4, 2017.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. A complete list of polling stations can be found on the Jackson County Election Board (JCEB) website. The website also features a “Voter ID Lookup” tool that allows you to search your voter registration information and voting districts. I always encourage voters to take a minute before they head out to cast their ballots and verify their specific voting locations. Polling locations do change, and it is never enjoyable to wait in line to vote only to find out you are at the wrong place.
To be eligible to vote in the April election, you must have been registered at your current home address by the fourth Wednesday prior to Election Day, in this case Wednesday, March 8. One important note, registration does not follow you if you move; you must make the effort to notify the election authority of your change of address. It is also important to make sure you have an acceptable form of identification with you when you show up to your polling station. A complete list of valid forms of ID can be found here.
For residents voting absentee in person, the JCEB office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All requests for absentee ballots must be received on or before 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 29. For overseas citizens and military service personnel who are voting absentee by mail, please click here for special instructions.
Although municipal elections do not tend to garner as much attention as general or midterm elections, they are just as important and deserve your attention. From voting on members of your local school board or city council to deciding whether to approve funding for infrastructure updates to parks and public buildings, the results of these elections have a direct impact on our lives and the future of our local communities. I encourage all eligible residents of the 8th Senate District to get out and fulfill your civic duty on April 4.
For questions or concerns about the April 4, 2017, General Municipal Election, please contact the JCEB office at (816) 325-4600 or visit during office hours at 215 N. Liberty, 64050.
Join the conversation and follow me on Twitter @SenWillKraus. Pease feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and will try to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at (573) 751-1464, or email at Will.Kraus@Senate.Mo.Gov.
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Senator Will Kraus serves Eastern Jackson County in the 8th State Senatorial District.