ABSENTEE VOTING PROCEEDS FOR CITY, SCHOOL ELECTIONS

JACKSON - Voters in Cape Girardeau County will have an extra opportunity cast absentee ballots Saturday between 9 a.m. and noon.

The county clerk's offices in the Common Please Annex in Cape Girardeau and the Administration Building in Jackson will have special Saturday hours for voters who will be unable to go to the polls in person on Tuesday.

Absentees can also be voted today and Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and on Monday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

On election day Tuesday, polling places will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Absentee balloting is normally a reflection of interest and likely turnout for an election. But as of around noon Wednesday, just 38 absentee ballots had been voted in the Jackson office and 12 in Cape, reported Deputy County Clerk Betty Hahs.

Most cities and all school districts in Cape County are having elections next week for board members and city officials.

The only countywide issue on the ballot is a 5-cent property tax levy that would be used to fund programs for senior citizens. The tax would generate about $220,000 a year and funds would be distributed by a special board appointed by the county commission.

Earlier this year, the county commission voted to put the measure on the ballot in response to a request from representatives of several senior citizens organizations in the county.

A simple majority is required for passage.