The News Tribune is offering this editorial free to all readers because it includes information important to public safety and health in our community.
If Cole County Clerk Steve Korsmeyer is right, only a little more than one-third of our county's registered voters will make it to the polls today.
While that's a higher percent than many primaries, we hope voters top Korsmeyer's prediction.
Voting is always important - it's a right and responsibility of all eligible voters.
This election, particularly, has a lot riding on the outcomes.
Voters will decide whether to add Medicaid expansion to our state Constitution. It would allow coverage to adults with incomes up to 138 percent of the poverty level.
It will also determine who will represent their respective parties in November for circuit judges in divisions 2 and 3 and a new associate circuit judge in division 5. There are also contested races for assessor along with Western and Eastern District commissioner.
For statewide offices, primaries will be held for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.
If you need more information before you head to the polls, check out our Voter's Guide in the Sunday News Tribune for Aug. 2, 2020, and also access our online index compiling campaign coverage.
The County Clerk's office is taking precautions to make voting safe amid the pandemic, with sanitation and tables positioned to accommodate social distancing. Voters will be able to use their own ink pen if they choose, and disinfectant will be available before and after voters sign the poll pad.
Voters can wear masks, but they are not required.
Voters are asked to bring their driver's license, voter registration cards or other accepted forms of identification with them to help get through the check-in at the poll faster. Korsmeyer also asks that voters make sure they have their correct, current address on their registration card. It's still possible for any registered voter to vote a provisional ballot without those forms of identification.
Polls are open today from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. To find your polling location in Cole County, visit colecounty.org/494/Voting-Locations.
We all have busy lives, but we hope you'll take the time to make it to the polls and influence your future government.
News Tribune