By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
A bit more than 68% of the registered voters in Buchanan County cast ballots during this General Election, spurred by an upsurge in early voting.
Missouri allowed no-excuse absentee voting two weeks prior to Election Day.
Buchanan County Clerk Mary Baack-Garvey says her office saw an incredible spike in voters coming to the courthouse early to cast their ballot.
“I was an amazing turnout,” Baack-Garvey tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “We had 64-hundred people walk in this building to vote.”
Garvey says that in the past, Buchanan County would see 1,000 to 1,500 voters cast absentee ballots. Missouri state law has required absentee voters provide a reason for voting early in the past. This year, state law loosened absentee voting, allowing absentee ballots to be cast in the last two weeks without requiring voters to provide a reason.
Baack-Garvey says early voting this year cannot really compare to past election years.
“People that need an excuse, we might see an uptick in November,” Baack-Garvey says. “But, with this no-excuse absentee voting, it’s really not comparable. It’s amazing. I really enjoyed having it going on. I think the employees of the courthouse were kind of impressed, to see all these people coming in to vote.”
Baack-Garvey says despite the strong turnout, the county didn’t experience problems or even long lines as the polls.
“I thought it was great,” Baack-Gavey says. “The day went smooth. We had tons of phone calls; no real hiccups at all. So, I’m pleased with the turnout, definitely.”
Buchanan County has 53,099 registered voters; 36,171 voted in the General Election. That’s a turnout of 68.1%.
The Missouri Secretary of State reports 4.4 million votes were cast in the General Election, a turnout of 67%.
The Kansas Secretary of State reports a preliminary voter total of 1.3 million votes cast, which would be a 64% voter turnout.
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