Voters across Missouri can begin requesting mail in ballots for the August primary on Tuesday following its expansion under a new law in place for the remainder of the year.
All individuals who believe or fear they are at risk of contracting COVID-19 can apply to the their election authority for a mail in ballot, but most will have to be notarized following the June 4 signing into law of SB 631.
Only those over the age of 65, those who live in a long term care facility, or individuals with certain serious health conditions will be allowed to send in ballots without notarization.
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said the state and local authorities are planning for a dramatic increase of mail in voting, but not for a corresponding increase in the number of those voting in person.
In an interview with the St. Louis Record, Ashcroft, who opposed the passage of the bill because it did not contain provisions relating to voter identification, nevertheless believes it will be "a safe and convenient way to vote."
"SB 631 increases the ability of Missourians to vote," Ashcroft said. "I would say everything is in place for people to start requesting these ballots, and (the ballots) going out at the right time." He added that it will be up to local officials to manage process, though forms will be available on the secretary of state's site for download.
"Not everything is done yet but everything is on the timeline for making sure everything gets done," the secretary of state said, adding that it will increase participating in the primary and the Nov. 3 general election.
The state is wary of the potential for fraud, but Ashcroft believes Missouri's approach is more robust than other states that are expanding the program without increased security.
"We want to make it easier to vote, and harder to vote twice," he said.
Some believe the process introduced in Missouri, which is only for the elections this year, does not go far enough, particularly the need for notarization.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and other groups, are continuing a legal action over the expansion of mail in voting. The Supreme Court heard arguments last week.
While the bill rendered some of the arguments redundant, Sophia Lakin, the ACLU's deputy director of its voting rights project, told the court: "What remains of the case is primarily this question of whether or not the statutes that are regulating absentee voting are harming voters because these voters still need to obtain a notary seal to vote by mail and the only other option is to vote in person with all the other health risks.”