Absentee voting for Aug. 8 election opens today

The Cole County Clerk's Office is accepting applications for absentee voting through Aug. 7 for those wishing to vote in the clerk's office.

Local issues on the ballot for the Aug. 8 special election include Proposition A in Russellville and state representative for Missouri's 50th District.

The state House of Representatives election is between Republican Sara Walsh and Democrat Michela Skelton, to replace former Rep. Caleb Jones, who resigned in January to become Gov. Eric Greitens' deputy chief of staff. The 50th District runs from California in Moniteau County to southeastern Columbia in Boone County, also including portions of northwestern Cole County.

Proposition A would allow the city of Russellville to continue collecting local sales tax on titling of motor vehicles, trailers, boats and outboard motors purchased from a source other than a licensed Missouri dealer.

Those who would like to submit an application for a family member in the Armed Forces, college, or confined to the home due to an illness or physical disability should do so as soon as possible so ballots have ample time to get back to the clerk's office by Aug. 8, election day. All ballots mailed out by the clerk must be received by 7 p.m. on election day. The last day to mail out an absentee ballot will be Aug. 2 until 5 p.m.

The Cole County Clerk's Office will be open from 8 a.m.-noon Aug. 5 for those wishing to vote absentee. The last day to cast an absentee ballot in the clerk's office will be Aug. 7, until 5 p.m. If you know you will be out of town for the election, contact the clerk's office at 573-634-9101 about obtaining a ballot.