County clerks: Absentee ballots on parr with other years

SIKESTON - Local residents may debate to-and-fro for their favorite political candidates with red-faced fervor, but one thing is for sure -- regardless how remarkable their candidates are, registration is nothing out of the ordinary in local counties for this year's primaries.

"We have 186 [absentee voters], which is normal," said Scott County Clerk Rita Milam.

Other counties like Mississippi, New Madrid and Stoddard agreed it was a just a normal primary election year.

New Madrid County Clerk Clement Cravens said as election time nears, walk-in absentee ballots increase, in part by residents' scheduled vacations or political parties campaigning to urge their constituents to vote.

Residents can vote absentee until the day before the election, although, mail-ins or faxed absentees will need to be requested sooner.

Other than absence during the election, reasons for absentee ballots may be due to illness or physical disabilities, religious practices, being an election authority employee or incarceration.

Unless provided with a voter registration application, voters will have to provide a copy of their identification.

Acceptable identifications are: driver's license or any ID issued by the state; college or university ID; or a current copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check or other government documents containing the name and address of the voter.

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