The 2020 presidential primary election is set for March 10, and according to Sunflower County Circuit Clerk Carolyn Hamilton, absentee voting has already begun.
Hamilton said on Tuesday that the application process actually began on January 10 and as of Monday the ballot process was initiated, which means that a ballot must be available for persons desiring to vote absentee.
However, as of Tuesday evening, Hamilton said no one has even called or requested an absentee application which is the first step. She said, "They will need to still call our office to request a ballot and if they are calling for a loved one they have to be related in the first degree in order to request a ballot."
The process requires that the application be mailed out first and once the application has been completed and received back into the circuit clerk's office the clerks will then mail out the actual absentee ballot.
Hamilton said only persons who are disabled or over the age of 65 can have an application and ballot mailed out to them. All others must come into the office to pick them up. "If you're going to be out of town or out of the county or at work all day you have to come inside the office to vote in person. You will have to vote in person,” Hamilton said.
She cautions that the absentee voter will also have to make sure that they have photo identification with them at the time.
Those desirous of voting absentee in the primary election have until Saturday March 7 at noon to do so. Hamilton said her office will be open the two Saturdays prior to the election, which will be March 7 and February 29, but for absentee voting only.
Sunflower County residents have until Monday February 10 at 5 p.m., to register to vote if they are not already registered; after that they will not be eligible to vote in this year's presidential election.
Hamilton said the ballot will contain the names of the presidential candidates, candidates for the U.S. Senate seats and candidates for the congressional races.
She also reminds the voters to be conscious of the fact that anytime there is a primary election they will have to select either a Republican or a Democratic ballot. "You can't criss cross in a primary election; you can only cross parties in a general election," she said.
Hamilton said the question arose in last year's election primary and although some voters said they were not aware of the stipulation; she assures that it has always been done that way. "They are going to have to tell the poll managers, when they show up at the polls or if they come in the office or call the office, that they want (either) a Republican or a Democratic ballot,” Hamilton said.
