This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Feb. 8, 2013 - Secretary of State Jason Kander has announced that he has set up a commission examining “the most efficient, fair and secure way to allow eligible Missourians to cast a ballot before Election Day.”
According to a release from Kander’s office, the Early Voting Commission will meet in February “to discuss the merits of early voting and to give citizens the opportunity to provide input.”
Kander made the issue of early voting a major aspect of his campaign last year for secretary of state.
“We have to preserve security in our elections while increasing efficient access for eligible voters,” Kander said in a statement. “An affordable plan for early voting could help alleviate long lines at the polls on Election Day by adding a much-needed convenience for Missourians across the state.”
Missouri already allows absentee voting during a period of time before an election. But Missourians can cast those ballots only if they sign affidavits confirming their reasons for voting absentee, such as being outside their voting jurisdiction on Election Day.
The commission includes Republicans and Democrats. The members include:
- St. Louis city treasurer Tishaura Jones
- St. Charles County elections director Rich Chrismer
- Joplin Mayor Melodee Colbert Kean
- John Comerford, St. Louis-based attorney and former chair of the Missouri Veterans Commission
- Jack Hembree, retired lieutenant colonel from Springfield
- Former state Sen. Bob Johnson, R-Lee’s Summit
- Carroll County Clerk Peggy McGaugh
- Roosevelt Lyons, Kansas City senior adviser for the office of civic and community engagement
- Schuyler County Clerk Bree Shaw
- Camden County Clerk Rowland Todd
- Jefferson County Clerk Wes Wagner
