Greene County voters have been able to exercise their voting rights since March 28 at the south side Library Center through no-excuse absentee voting.
Under Missouri law, citizens are now able to vote absentee without giving a reason within a two-week period of an election. Prior to implementation of a new state elections law last November, absentee voting in Missouri was limited to those who could provide a reason why they were unable to vote on election day.
April 3 is the final day residents of Greene County are able to cast their votes at the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell Ave. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In-person absentee voting is also available at the Greene County Elections Center, 1126 N. Boonville Ave., on April 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller, guest of a recent Hauxeda In Our Town podcast episode, approved adding the Library Center as a convenient no-excuse absentee voting center.
Dan Kinney of Springfield was first in line to vote March 31. He describes the process of absentee voting as working smarter not harder.
“You shouldn't have to wait in line to cast your vote. It shouldn't be cumbersome. So if people can come in to do this and if they have the proper credentials, it just makes it so much simpler in my opinion,” said Kinney.
Kinney got the idea to vote absentee in November from a friend at the voting center on Boonville Avenue.
“I do have a friend who was actually the one who tipped me off about its ease and simplicity at the voting center on Booneville, so when I heard they had one here, it's a little more convenient,” said Kinney.
Kelli Presley who lives outside of the city limits of Springfield, detailed the process of voting absentee in the past as not a positive experience — but said it was easy Friday.
“The one time that I voted before there was a big line where we had to sit and wait. It was not quite as positive as this was. I’m actually going to be out of town on Tuesday for a meeting and so it was perfect for me — otherwise I wouldn't have voted. It was easy to cast my vote and easy to check in,” said Presley.
Presley did not know anyone else who has voted absentee before but after casting her vote she called her husband to let him know about the process. “I just called my husband and I told him about it, so he will be voting absentee,” said Presley.
Nedra King of Springfield also said no-excuse early voting was a positive experience. “It was probably one of the best, the people were friendly. Very efficient. I got my ballot, I marked it and I put it in and it scanned it. I loved it,” said King.
Voting early meant less of a hassle for King. “This has been great because I still work part time and I work on Tuesdays, so on Election Day, it’s more of a hassle because I have to rearrange clients to be able to get in here so this is like perfect because I can come on a different day,” said King.
To be able to vote absentee in-person, the voter needs to be registered to vote in Greene County. One of the following forms of photo identification must be presented:
- A nonexpired Missouri driver or non-driver license
- A nonexpired military ID, including a veteran’s ID card
- A nonexpired United States passport
- Another photo ID issued by the United States or the state of Missouri, which is either not expired or expired after the date of the most recent general election
VOTING GUIDE
Springfield MO Voting Guide: Everything you need to know for April 4 local elections
In one place, all readers of the Hauxeda get free access to learn about the candidates and important ballot issues facing Springfield voters on April 4. Links within the story may require a subscription to the Daily Citizen.
