Mid-Missouri clerks make plans to give quarantined, isolated voters chance to cast their ballots
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
As the election nears, mid-Missouri clerks are making plans to help give anyone in quarantine or isolation from COVID-19 the chance to vote.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend anyone who is identified as a close contact with a positive case of the virus quarantine for at least 14 days. For those who test positive, the CDC suggests isolating for ten days from that positive test or the onset of any symptoms.
For eligible voters, that means anyone who was sent to quarantine starting on or after Oct. 20 and anyone sent to isolation on or after Oct. 24 cannot go to a polling place to vote in the Nov. 3 election.
We checked in with county clerks across mid-Missouri to see what options voters in quarantine or isolation will have.
Boone County
Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon said the county has teams of bi-partisan election judges who will go to voters' homes if they are sent to isolation before 5 p.m. on Nov. 2.
Cole County
In a news release Wednesday, Steve Korsmeyer with Cole County said curbside voting will be available from 1 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 30 and from 8 a.m. to noon on Oct. 31. Voters who wish to vote curbside, need to call the office ahead of time so it can file the proper paperwork.
Callaway County
In Callaway County, voters are asked to call clerk Ronda Miller’s office to talk about their situation. If possible, Miller said there is a team that could make it possible for those in quarantine to vote.
Randolph County
Voters in Randolph County have several options on Nov. 3. County Clerk Will Ellis said his office can send a bipartisan team to the voters' homes or voters can drive to the courthouse and a team will meet them at their car.
Miller County
Miller County Clerk Clinton Jenkins said voters in the county will have options similar to those in Randolph County. Jenkins said curbside voting will be available, but voting from home is the preferred method for anyone in isolation or quarantine. If a voter wants to vote curbside, Jenkins said they need to let election judges know so the judges can wear proper personal protective equipment.
Morgan County
Curbside voting will also be available in Morgan County. Voters and election judges will both wear masks during curbside voting according to County Clerk Aimee Worthley. Curbside voting is available now through 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Moniteau County
There is not a plan for quarantined voters across the board in Moniteau County. Clerk Darlene Oliver said voters who need assistance should call her office to talk about their options.
Maries County
Maries County Clerk Rhonda Rodgers said she will go to the homes of voters in quarantine or isolation to give them the chance to vote. She said her plan is to “do whatever I can so that every registered voter has the opportunity to vote.”
We also contacted Audrain, Chariton, Cooper, Howard, Montgomery and Osage counties, but have not heard back.
Ballots have to be cast by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 to be counted in the election. Voters must show one form of identification including state or federal issued identification, identification from an institution of higher education located in Missouri or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document that has the name and address of the voter.
