Good News: Just A Few More Days Until Election Ads End

     At a time when it seems difficult to find issues everyone can agree on, we think most will welcome the end of election advertisements, mail, and signs after Election Day next Tuesday, November 3rd. 
     In-person Absentee voting will continue through 5:00pm on Monday, November 2nd. Absentee voting requires that you have a reason for voting absentee.  Anyone who is 65 or older automatically qualifies for this election as they are in an at-risk category for COVID-19.  The Absentee Voting Office is at 110 N Liberty in Independence. 
     If you’ve requested a mail-in ballot (one that did not require a reason for requesting it), you must mail it back to the Jackson County Election Board and the envelope must be notarized.
     If you have an absentee ballot that was mailed to you, you can mail it back to the Jackson County Election Board or drop it off at the Absentee Drop-off Office at 112 N Liberty, Independence. There is no drop box.  You must go in and present your ID.
     The Election Board must receive your ballot by 7:00pm on Election Day.
     The Jackson County Election Board will have special accommodations on Saturdays and on Election Day for individuals who have tested positive or who are quarantining because of COVID-19.  Drive-through voting will be available from 1:00pm-3:30pm on Saturday and all day on Election Day behind the Absentee Office at 110 N Liberty in Independence.  Any voter who has tested positive for COVID-19 and has an absentee or mail-in ballot that needs notarization may also use the special drive-through hours on Saturdays.
     Voters can find their polling location and their sample ballot on our website at www.jcebmo.org.  Click on “VOTER LOOKUP.”
      The Jackson County Election Board reported the following statistics as of October 23rd:
 
VOTER REGISTRATION
2020 – 244,454 total registrations
2018 – 224,452 total registrations
2016 – 230,465 total registrations
2012 – 216,459 total registrations
2008 – 234,109 total registrations
 
ABSENTEE VOTING
2020 – 49,983 Absentee/mail-in applications processed (18,285 in-person) – as of 8am on 10/23/20
2016 – 16,321 Absentee applications processed (9,694 in-person)
2012 – 14,222 Absentee applications processed (8,453 in-person)
2008 – 16,167 Absentee applications processed (10,122 in-person)
 
     The Election Board reports over 10,000 more registered voters than our previous record in 2008. The Election Board has processed over 3,000 more absentee applications (in person and by mail) than they processed for all three of the last presidential elections combined as of October 23rd.
     Polls are open for those who plan to vote on Election Day from 6:00am—7:00pm.