1,200 Pettis County absentee ballots lost in the mail

SEDALIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Pettis County Clerk announced Wednesday morning about 1,200 absentee ballots were lost in the mail recently.

A post on the Pettis County Elections Office Facebook page said more ballots were sent out and voters should receive a new ballot on Wednesday.

Pettis County Clerk Nick La Strada said his office delivered the ballots to the post office on Sept. 21.

Absentee voting started in Missouri last week. County clerks in Cole and Boone counties have already received many ballots.

Some ballots were submitted on Thursday and Friday, however, La Strada said his workers received calls over the ensuing days about residents not receiving ballots.

The county clerk was told on Monday the ballots were lost.

The release said Missouri's Secretary of State advised La Strada's office to reprocess and mail out another round of ballots.

La Strada said his office worked this week to stuff another batch of about 1,200 ballots, which have since been sent out.

"We're not going to disenfranchise any voters, you are going to be able to vote," the county clerk said.

La Strada said absentee voters can still cast ballots at the county clerk's office. He added county residents can also fill out the absentee ballot and submit it in-person to the office.

The clerk said absentee voters are required to sign an affidavit that comes with the ballot for it to be counted.

According to the release, residents who receive two absentee ballots are only allowed to vote once.