JOHNSON COUNTY — The April 2 Municipal Election is now six weeks away, which means it’s time for absentee voting to begin.
Johnson County Clerk Diane Thompson reminded registered voters who will be absent from their polling location on April 2 that absentee ballots are available beginning Tuesday, Feb. 20. Absentee voting for the General Municipal Election will continue through 5 p.m. Monday, April 1 at the Johnson County Courthouse Elections Office. The office will also be open for absentee voting from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30.
“Any voter that will be unable to get to their polling place on Election Day can vote absentee, either by mail or in person in the Election Office at the courthouse," Thompson said.
Applications for mailed absentee ballots must be received in the Election Office by 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 and should include the voter’s name and residential address as it appears on the voter registration rolls, mailing address, reason for requesting an absentee ballot and signature of the voter. Johnson County voters can apply on the county website or call the Election Office at 660-747-7414.
“There are several ‘excuses’ allowed by law for absentee voting,” Thompson said. “The most commonly used excuse is (an) absence from the polls on Election Day.”
Absentee voters can be excused from voting in person for various reasons. These include if they are incapable of making it to Election Day due to illness or a physical disability. This includes those who are primarily responsible for the physical care of the incapacitated or confined and reside at the same address. Voters may also be excused due to religious beliefs, employment as an election authority or by an election authority at a location other than such voter’s polling place, a first responder, a health care worker, or a member of law enforcement. Absentee voting is also available for those incarcerated, provided they have all qualifications for voting, or those who have certified participation in the address confidentiality program established under sections 589.660 to 589.681 because of safety concerns.
As the clerk’s office receives requests, the voter’s signature is verified with the signature on file. Once verified, a packet with a ballot, instruction sheet, envelope and affidavit is mailed to the voter.
“Voters do have the option to vote in person at the courthouse. Curbside voting is also available for voters with mobility issues,” Thompson said. “They can receive assistance by calling 660-747-7414 once they have arrived at the courthouse.”
This April election will have 21 different ballot styles in Johnson County. Thompson encouraged voters to view their sample ballots so they know what they will be eligible to vote on. Sample ballots are available on the Election Office website or by request from the Election Office via mail or email.
“April elections are notoriously low, even when tax or bond questions are on the ballot,” Thompson said. “Voter apathy seems to be growing. A decade ago, we could count on a tax question driving turnout up by several percentage points, but that doesn’t seem to be the case today.”
The Elections Office is located on the second floor of the Johnson County Courthouse at 300 N. Holden St. in downtown Warrensburg.
For more information, visit www.jococourthouse.com or call 660-747-7414.
Zach Bott can be reached at 660-747-8123.
