What to Expect at the August 4 Election

Citizens of Greene County can expect to see a range of candidates and issues on this year’s Greene County August 4 ballot, and with less than a week to go before the election, it’s time to brush up on what to know before you cast your vote. 

How to Cast Your Vote 

First, it’s helpful to see if you’re registered to vote, and if you are, find out where your polling place is located. You can check your status here using the Missouri Secretary of State’s website. For those not already registered, the July 8 deadline has already passed, but you should still register in preparation for the presidential election in November. Register to vote using the same website.  

Can’t attend the election on Tuesday, August 4? In-person absentee voting is occurring now, where citizens can physically vote in person before the election date. In-person absentee voting is currently available at the Greene County Clerk’s office throughout the week leading up to the election. Weekday hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In-person absentee voting takes place at the Greene County Clerk’s office located at at 1126 North Boonville in the Elections Center Building. Voters must bring a valid form of identification. The last day for in-person absentee voting is Monday, August 3 (there is no in-person absentee voting offered on Sunday, August 2).

For those interested in receiving an absentee ballot or mail-in ballot, unfortunately, the deadline to receive those through the mail has already passed. The deadline for obtaining these ballots is typically two weeks out from election day. For future reference, “mailed absentee and mail-in ballots must be voted, notarized, returned by mail, and received in the County Clerk’s office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Absentee voters that are confined due to illness or disability and absentee voters that are at high risk for COVID- 19 do not have to have the absentee ballot notarized,” according to a press release from the Greene County Clerk’s office. 

For more information on absentee ballots and voting, see here.

COVID-19 Precautions

According to Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller, each polling place will have precautions in place to keep citizens safe while exercising their right to vote. “At each polling location, we’re going to have two people there who are election judges,” Schoeller says. “They’re going to be cleaning each polling station where people are voting at, as well as the doors as people enter in and out. We’ll have social distancing markers.” In addition, pens and touchscreens will be disinfected after each use. 

Schoeller also recommends voters try to visit their polling location between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. On election days, there’s typically a rush outside of typical office hours, so to minimize the rush, Schoeller says to visit during the day if possible. 

Note that the City of Springfield currently has a masking ordinance in effect. Use this list to pick up a mask if you don’t have one already. 

Candidates and Issues

In the August 4 election, voters will indicate their preference for their party’s candidate. Because this is a primary electron, this election will determine which candidates will receive their party’s nomination. The following parties voters can choose from are: the Republican Party, Democratic Party, Libertarian Party, Green Party, and Constitution Party. When voters arrive, they will be asked what ballot they’d like, but voters can also select a non-partisan issues-only ballot too. 

Voters can also expect to see a question regarding the Missouri expansion of medicare and a question from the City of Springfield regarding short-term rentals. You can view and download a sample ballot here.