Missouri governor on Tuesday’s elections: if you don’t feel safe, ‘don’t go out and vote’

Ahead of Tuesday’s local elections, Gov. Mike Parson said Missourians should prioritize their safety over voting.

“I hope people feel safe to go out and vote, but if they don’t, you know, the No. 1 thing — their safety should be No. 1,” Parson said during Thursday’s press briefing. “If they don’t, then don’t go out and vote.”

Most Missouri voters will be deciding on city council and school board races, or local ballot measures Tuesday. Parson signed an executive order March 18 to move elections planned for April 7 to June 2 because of concern caused by the rising number of Missourians infected with the novel coronavirus.

Unlike several states, Missouri does not offer “no-excuse” absentee voting, and most voters are only eligible to cast their ballot in-person.

A bill that would allow for anyone to vote by mail, after obtaining a notary’s signature, sits on Parson’s desk for consideration, and would only apply to the August primary and November presidential elections. He has not indicated whether he will sign it.

Parson said he hoped everyone felt safe enough to vote on Tuesday.

He noted that Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft visited with several county clerks and election authorities to deliver cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment.

“I’m confident counties and other local elected officials understand what we are up against here and...above all means, they are going to make sure the safeness is there,” Parson said.

He stressed that voting is “one of the most important things you can do.”

“(Those elections) are important for what happens down the road, as we all see right now what elected officials on the local level are doing and how important it is to make sure you got the right people in the right place,” Parson said.

Parson said he hasn’t decided whether he will vote absentee or in-person. While the deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail has passed, Missourians can still vote absentee in-person at their election authority’s office through Monday.

“I plan on voting, if it at all possible, if I can,” Parson said.

This story was originally published May 28, 2020 at 5:00 PM.