With a number of statewide issues and local elections facing Missouri voters, they should plan ahead for the Nov. 3 general election, say election officials.

Planning would include making arrangements to cast a ballot and learning what is on the ballot, said Missouri Secretary of State Bekki Cook.

Missourians will elect a U.S. senator, state auditor, 17 members of the Missouri Senate, 163 members of the Missouri House, judges and county officials.

"We have a large ballot with a lot of important decisions to be made on issues and candidates," Cook said. "People who take the time to get informed before Election Day are more likely to make the time to vote."

Cape Girardeau County Clerk Rodney Miller agreed.

"From the perspective of constitutional amendments and propositions, this is a longer ballot," Miller said. "It's important for the voters to inform themselves about the amendments and propositions before the election. If they are trying to read the amendments just on the ballot, it may be very difficult."

In addition, Cook urged voters to make plans to cast a ballot. One of the most frequent excuses for not voting is a lack of time, she said.

Missouri law requires employers to give workers time off on Election Day for voting. Employees should be provided three successive hours to vote, but employees must make arrangements before Election Day if they need time off.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. across the state.

Absentee voting is another way to vote for those who will be out of town on Election Day or for some reason will be unable to go to the polls.

Absentee ballots can be cast in person until and including the day before the election. In Cape Girardeau County, people may vote absentee in person at the county clerk's office in Jackson or the Common Pleas Annex in Cape Girardeau from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The offices also will be open the Saturday before the election from 9 to noon.

Voters may request a ballot by mail through Oct. 28. The request must include the voter's name, address where registered, and address to mail the ballot. Except for people with certain disabilities, ballots cast by mail must be notarized.

Miller said absentee voting began six weeks before Election Day. About 300 people have already cast absentee ballots in Cape Girardeau County, a rather high number, Miller said.

"We think on this particular election the number of absentee voters may indicate a good turnout at the polls," he said.

Election information is available online:

Secretary of State's Office

mosl.sos.state.mo.us

Cape Girardeau County

www.showme.net/CapeCounty/

Issues explained

Secretary of State Bekki Cook has offered plain language explanations of the seven constitutional amendments and one change in state statute on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. See story on Page 9A.