LA Times: Early-Voting Debate Takes On Partisan Tone in Missouri

[NoPasaran]

ST. LOUIS — The question sounds straightforward: Does state law allow this city to open a polling station two weeks before the Nov. 2 election so voters who might be busy that day can cast their ballots early?

But in the tangled knot of St. Louis election politics, nothing is that simple.
Especially not this year, when the debate over how city residents should vote has exploded into a nasty statewide squabble — with implications for the presidential race in this pivotal swing state.

Last week, local politicians sued Secretary of State Matt Blunt in circuit court for the right to hold early voting in this heavily Democratic city. Mayor Francis G. Slay promised to pay for it, noting that the city had put aside $75,000 to open a polling center starting Oct. 19.

Blunt's response: No way. He insists that the state, by law, must cover all election expenses. Since the Legislature hasn't appropriated money for early voting, he says, it's illegal for the city of St. Louis to try it.

-more-

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-earlyvote14aug14.story

[Bushfire]

1. Matt Blunt should set aside partisan politics as he is running for Gov

of MO. If the city has the money set aside, he is just fearful of those working two jobs finding time to cast a ballot. Typical repuke.

[chaumont58]

2. Typical repuke behavior, if they cant win fair, they steal it

The swift boaters are not anomilies, they are normal every day repukes.

[Terran]

3. Blunt is a puppet, just like Bush

I hope he gets his twinky ass handed to him by Claire McCaskill on November 2nd.

[stickdog]

4. Blunt's just afraid the Dems are going to smoke him. (nt)