Absentee voting under way for August primary

BENTON - Absentee voting for the Aug. 5 primary election is under way.

For residents of Scott, New Madrid or Mississippi County, absentee ballots can be voted in their county clerk's office or if people are unable to vote in person, they may request an absentee ballot to be mailed.

Those requesting an absentee ballot in person will find the process "fairly simple and very quick," said New Madrid County Clerk Clement Cravens. After the voter shows a form of valid identification and it is verified, "they will have a ballot in their hands and be voting in just a minute or two."

Requesting absentee ballots for the Aug. 5 primary election by mail, requires the following information: name of voter as it is listed on the voter registration rolls, mailing address, date of birth, reason for voting absentee, (such as due to illness or plans to be out of town) and the voter's signature. Because the upcoming election is a primary election, those requesting a ballot should also note which ballot (for example, Democrat or Republican) they need.

For the full story, see Wednesday's e-edition.