Military Preparedness Voting Plan Could Run Into Roadblocks

In a move to try to make the state more friendly to military, the state Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission has voted to go forward with a feasibility study over whether or not non-resident military members stationed in Missouri should be allowed to vote in local school board elections in this state. But Betsy Byers with the Secretary of State’s office, Missouri’s election authority, says that would be in violation of Missouri’s state law – a law that was just changed not long ago. Byers says those non-resident military stationed in Missouri can vote for the federal officeholders, such as the President and the U.S. Senate positions. She suggests if those non-residents really want to participate in the local issues, they should register to vote in their local precincts.