Boone County Clerk investigating attorney general’s vote

The Boone County Clerk is investigating a vote cast by the state’s attorney general in August’s special election.

Attorney General Josh Hawley voted in Boone County during last Tuesday’s special election, county clerk Taylor Burks told ABC 17 News. Hawley is registered voter in Boone County, but a resident made a complaint that the vote might be illegal based on state law. The Missouri Constitution requires that the attorney general “shall reside at the seat of government,” which is Jefferson City.

While Hawley’s registered address to vote in Boone County is off of Highway 163, the office confirmed earlier this year that he leased a two-bedroom apartment in Jefferson City, as well.

Burks said his office is investigating whether or not Hawley is legally entitled to vote in Boone County. The investigation would not go into his residency requirements as attorney general.

The clerk’s office requested information from Hawley yesterday via mail, Burks said, and Hawley will have 30 days to respond to their request.

“We’ll assess what that meets with state statute and make a determination on his voter qualification,” Burks said.

Voting records obtained by ABC 17 News from the Missouri Secretary of State show Hawley has voted in Boone County elections since 2012.

Attorneys at Hawley’s office previously said he met the residency requirements by living near the office. Hawley’s registered address in Boone County is 25 minutes north of Jefferson City.

Burks said that if his office found something illegal in the investigation, it would forward the case to Boone County prosecutors to decide charges.