Welcome
The League of Women Voters of Southeast Missouri is a non-partisan political organization dedicated to active citizen participation in democracy. One of the most trusted and respected organizations in our community, the League is a force for change, shaping the important issues that keep our communities strong.
We are a grassroots organization working to make democracy work. We work to influence policy through education and advocacy. As the League of Women Voters approach our 100th anniversary, we have adopted the slogan:
Creating a more perfect democracy.
Join us in making this happen!
Anniversary
In 2020, we are celebrating the ratification of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the founding of the League of Women Voters.
Passed by Congress June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote. The 19th amendment states: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."
February 14th, 2020, marked 100 years that the League of Women Voters has empowered voters and defended democracy. Over the last century, we have fought for election protection, democratic reforms, and equal access to the ballot—all while maintaining our commitment to nonpartisanship and fostering an informed electorate. As we look into our next hundred years, we aim to build power for the next generation of women leaders and voting rights activists.
Coming Election - November 3, 2020
Here are some important dates concerning the November election
Beginning on September 22, 2020, in-person absentee voting is available at: Cape Girardeau County Administration Building, 1 Barton Square, 3rd Floor, Jackson, MO and Osage Center, 1625 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO.
October 7 - Last day to register to vote for the November election. You may register online at
https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/govotemissouri/register or at the Cape Girardeau County Clerk’s office.
October 21 - Mail-in ballot requests that are sent by mail must be received by the election authority no later than 5:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday prior to any election.
Absentee ballots may be requested in person up until the day before Election Day.
Your ballot must be received by the County Clerk by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. However, Thomas Marshall, general counsel and executive vice president of the Postal Service, recommended that voters who choose to mail their ballots do so no later than Tuesday, October 27.
Sample Ballot
A sample ballot is available on the Cape Girardeau County Clerk webpage:
https://www.capecountyelections.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Ballot-Information-for-Website-November-2020.pdf
Ballot Measures for the November 2020 Election
There are two amendments on the November ballot:
Amendment 1 - "Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to extend the two term restriction that currently applies to the Governor and Treasurer to the Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor and the Attorney General?"
Amendment 3 - "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to: Ban gifts from paid lobbyists to legislators and their employees; Reduce legislative campaign contribution limits; Change the redistricting process voters approved in 2018 by: (I) transferring responsibility for drawing state legislative districts from the Nonpartisan State Demographer to Governor-appointed bipartisan commissions; (ii) modifying and reordering the redistricting criteria."
For the full texts, please go to the Missouri Secretary of State webpage:
https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/petitions/2020BallotMeasures
The League of Women Voters of Missouri opposes Amendment 3. For reasons for this opposition, please go to the LWVMO webpage:
https://lwvmissouri.org/
Absentee Voting and Mail-In Voting Information in Effect for the Remainder of 2020
The Missouri General Assembly passed SB631 which approved changes to the absentee ballot process for the August and November 2020 elections. Governor Parson signed this bill on June 4, 2020.
Absentee Ballots that Do Not Require Notarization
Voters in at-risk categories for contracting or transmitting COVID-19 are eligible to vote by absentee ballot without obtaining notarization. At-risk voters are individuals who:
Are 65 years of age or older
Have serious heart conditions
Are immunocompromised
Have liver disease
Live in a long-term care facility licensed under Chapter 198, RSMo
Have chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
Have chronic kidney disease and are undergoing dialysis
Have diabetes
Absentee Ballots that Require Notarization
For voters who need to vote absentee under the usual absentee reasons, the ballots must be notarized. You are eligible to vote absentee with a notarization for these reasons:
Absence on election day from your election jurisdiction
Religious beliefs or practice
Working as an election worker
Incarceration, as long as you have the right to vote
Certified participation in an address confidentiality program
The Missouri statutes specifically say that notaries cannot charge for notarizing an absentee ballot. This is what is in the Statutes: "No notary shall charge or collect a fee for notarizing the signature on any absentee ballot or absentee voter registration."
Mail-In Ballots that Require Notarization
SB631 established a new COVID-19 excuse for healthy voters under age 65 to request a mail-in ballot, but voters using that new form will have to have their ballots notarized. SB 631 did not authorize free notarization for mail-in ballots. As a result, to assist Missouri voters find a notary public to notarize their absentee or mail-in ballot envelopes at no cost, the Secretary of State’s Office is compiling a list of notaries who have volunteered to provide this service at no charge. The 2020 Notary List will be updated as additional notaries are added. Please see more information at:
https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/MailinNotary
For the full text of Senate Bill 631, please go to:
http://senate.mo.gov/20info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=26837998
For the Request for Absentee Ballot (certain eligible categories are exempt from notarization) and the Request for Mail-in Ballot (notarization required), please go to the Missouri Secretary of State webpage:
https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections
Voters will soon be able to check online whether a requested ballot has been mailed or, conversely, to see whether it has been received by the county. Check the Cape Girardeau County Clerk webpage.
Also, you can pick up an absentee ballot at the Cape Girardeau County Clerk’s office. For more information about absentee voting and to request an absentee ballot, please go to the Cape Girardeau County Clerk webpage:
https://www.capecountyelections.com/voting-information/absentee-voting-information/
Or you can call the County Clerk's office at (573)243-3547
Ballots may be turned in by mail or in person.
To help voters understand the new options for 2020, the League of Women Voters of Missouri has prepared a two-page Fact Sheet on Absentee Voting. Please go to:
https://lwvmissouri.org/