Boone County voters say voting process went smoothly, despite long lines during first day of early in-person voting

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

There were 1,500 people who voted in Boone County on Tuesday, when in-person, no-excuse absentee voting opened in Missouri, according to Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon.

Lennon said the 1,500 voters exceeds the votes cast on the first day of early in-person voting in 2022.

She said she also expects the amount of people who vote early overall this year will exceed those who did in 2022, due to voter turnout only being at 50% that year.

Lennon said she's expecting a 70% voter turnout this year. She said early voting doesn't impact the overall turnout, but rather shifts when people cast their votes. However, she said early voting could allow for a smoother process come Election Day.

"We really like that because it means that voters have a better experience when they're voting before Election Day," Lennon said. "But also anybody that votes on Election Day, it is fewer lines, we can address issues a little bit faster and it's just kind of better overall for the process."

No-excuse absentee voting takes place every day – except on Sundays – between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. from now until Nov. 4 at the Boone County Government Center.

Long lines of people formed at the Boone County Government Center on Tuesday afternoon. However, people like Abe Heim, who came with his two sons to cast his vote early, say the process went smoothly.

"It was relatively long. Wasn't as bad as you know, some horror stories I've heard about other cities where it took hours but I'd say I was probably in line a total of about 20 minutes," Heim said.

Heim took advantage of the early voting period before having to travel back to Germany before Election Day.

"I guess it makes it a little less convenient for the people in line, but a lot of people are eager to vote so I guess that's that's good," Heim said. "Unfortunately, a lot of people don't necessarily feel like there's a lot of candidates that best represent them but at least people try to make an effort whatever way they can to participate, which is good."

Pat Burns said she normally votes at a different polling place, but decided to vote at the Boone County Government Center to try and beat the long lines on Election Day as she anticipates a heavy turnout.

Although she also experienced the long lines, she said the process went quickly and said she thinks Tuesday's heavy turnout is due to people wanting to ensure their voices are heard.

"I think a lot of people are very concerned about the rhetoric and things that are going on and I think that a lot of people think it's time for it to stop and so they're doing what they can to make that happen," Burns said.

Peggy Schlueter is a sophomore at the University of Missouri who voted in her first presidential election on Tuesday.

"I think it's really important for everyone to vote, especially like being my first time voting," Schlueter said. "I definitely wanted to practice the right of voting, so seeing everyone coming out to vote is really great."

Lennon said the ballot can take 10-20 minutes to complete. She said she encourages people to look over the ballot before going to vote to help move the lines along faster.

According to Lennon, early voting ballots cannot be counted until Election Day.

People who choose to vote need to bring a valid photo ID. Acceptable forms include:

• Missouri driver's license
• Missouri nondriver license
• Passport
• Military ID

The County Clerk’s website says additional locations throughout the county will occur on the following days:

• Oct. 26, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.: Columbia Mall
• Oct. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.: Douglass High School
• Oct. 28-31, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Memorial Union, Second Floor (University of Missouri campus)
• Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-1p.m.: Memorial Union, Second Floor (University of Missouri campus)
• Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Southern Boone Middle School Cafeteria in Ashland and Impact Support Services in Centralia (formerly the East Annex Building on Switzler)

The deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot is Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. Lennon said 1,900 people have mailed in an absentee ballot.

According to Matthew Musselman with the Cole County Clerk's Office, 596 people voted in Cole County on Tuesday.

Early voting will continue through Nov. 4.