Absentee voting is under way for Missouri's March 7 presidential primary.

Absentee ballots can be cast in person at the offices or county clerks and election boards, or requested by mail from local election authorities.

"I want to encourage Missouri voters to go to the polls," said Secretary of State Bekki Cook. "But if for some reason they can't, there is always the option of voting absentee."

An absentee ballot application must be completed in order to receive a ballot by mail. For a ballot to be mailed, election officials must receive the application not later than 5 p.m. next Wednesday.

For an absentee ballot to be counted, it must be received by the time polls close on election day.

Absentee ballots may be voted in person until 5 p.m. the day before the election, said Cook.

Cape Girardeau County Clerk Rodney Miller said voters may cast absentee ballots at the clerk's Cape Girardeau office at the Common Pleas Courthouse Annex and the Jackson office in the county's administration building.

Both offices will be open during regular business hours and on March 4 from 9 a.m. to noon to accommodate absentee voters, Miller said.

State law provides for citizens to vote absentee if they are living outside their voting jurisdiction while serving in the military or going to school or working. Absentees also may be voted by anyone who will be unable to travel to the polls due to illness, disability, work or out-of-town travel.

Those seeking information on absentee ballots can call the county clerk's office at 243-3547.