The Aug. 6 primary election is officially six weeks away, as absentee voting begins Tuesday, June 25.
Numerous contested statewide and county races and several ballot questions are in the August primary. Pettis County Clerk Nick La Strada reminded voters that the primary is for each party to elect its nominee for the November general election.
Voters will be asked to pick a party ballot. The three established parties in Missouri are Democrat, Republican and Libertarian. There is also a nonpartisan ballot option for voters who only want to vote on issues.
“In the State of Missouri, we are an open primary state,” La Strada explained. “When you go vote, just because you could be a Libertarian, Republican, Democrat, it doesn’t matter – that’s the beauty of an open primary state. You have the option to pick any political party (ballot).
“... We don’t keep track of which party you pick,” he added. “We just have to ask (to give you the right ballot). Just because you pick that ballot doesn’t mean you are affiliated with that party.”
La Strada noted that, depending on where they live, anyone who would like to vote for Pettis County eastern or western commissioner will need to select a Republican ballot since the three candidates in each race are all Republicans. Voters are still able to select one of the other ballot styles, but they will not see the commissioner candidates.
All Missouri voters will be asked to consider Constitutional Amendments 1 and 4. Voters residing in the Village of Hughesville will see an additional ballot question; the same question appeared on the April municipal ballot but did not receive a majority to pass.
Absentee voting begins June 25, and no-excuse absentee voting begins July 23. It continues through 5 p.m. Aug. 5. La Strada said his office has received requests for almost 600 mailed absentee ballots so far.
“The last two weeks is going to be no-excuse absentee voting, so it’s just like early voting,” La Strada explained. “... If you feel you can’t make it to your polling location (on Election Day), we encourage you to come here.”
In 2020, during the last presidential year, Pettis County saw almost 34% turnout for the primary election. Primary turnout was 27% during the midterm elections in 2022. La Strada said he expects high turnout again for this year’s primary due to the large number of open seats at the statewide level and since it is a presidential year.
“A lot of people sometimes sit out on these August elections and they are important,” La Strada reminded voters. “We have some tax issues in Pettis County, statewide amendments, and county races for people who represent us within arm's length. Get out there and make sure your voice is heard because primaries count. It’s a big primary for statewide elected officials, for sure.”
The last day to register to vote in the August election is July 10. 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.
The last day to request a mailed absentee ballot is July 24. The last day to absentee vote is Monday, Aug. 5. The Clerk’s Office, 215 E. Fifth St. in Sedalia, 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, Aug. 3.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters can find their polling location, check if they are registered, and view a sample ballot at pettisclerk.gov. For more information, visit pettisclerk.gov or facebook.com/PettisCountyElectionsOffice or call the Clerk’s office at 660-826-5000 ext. 400 or La Strada’s cellphone at 660-281-7767.
Nicole Cooke can be reached at 660-530-0138.
