St. Louis sues to allow early voting in Missouri

[Judi Lynn]

Posted: Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 - 01:19:39 am CDT


St. Louis sues to allow early voting in Missouri
By DAVID A. LIEB
Associated Press Writer

The city of St. Louis and some Democratic lawmakers sued Missouri's chief election official Monday, seeking a court order allowing an early voting period before the Nov. 2 general election.

If the lawsuit is successful, Missourians could vote for president, governor and other local officials anytime between Oct. 19-27. Missourians currently can vote absentee beginning six weeks before an election, but only if they will be unable to vote in person on election day.

Republican Secretary of State Matt Blunt, the lawsuit's defendant and the Republican gubernatorial front-runner, insists that Missouri law does not permit a general early voting period. He says a 2002 law on the subject only required election authorities to develop a plan for early voting.

The lawsuit filed in Cole County Circuit Court contends the 2002 law allows - and, in fact, requires - advance voting for general elections.

The city of St. Louis already has allocated $75,000 to pay for an early voting period there. But it's unclear how other jurisdictions _ or the state _ would pay for the extra voting days, should a judge rule they must occur.
(snip/...)

http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2004/08/03/news_state/0080304011.txt