Voter registration deadline is Oct. 9

SIKESTON — As the Nov. 5 general election approaches, local citizens who want to vote must be prepared and act now.

Local county clerks to some time recently to discuss the voter Oct. 9 registration deadline for the November election.

According to Scott County Clerk Allen Seabaugh, residents in Scott County and the region should be aware of the exact date by which they must register to vote.

“The deadline to register to vote for the Nov. 5, 2024, general election is Oct. 9, 2024,” Seabaugh said. “And it’s important that everyone knows this.”

New Madrid County Clerk Amy Brown said there is more than one way for residents to register to vote. .

“New Madrid County residents can either come to my office here at the courthouse or they can get on the Secretary of State website and register to vote there,” Brown said.

If someone moves, they must re-register to vote, which not everyone is aware of, she said.

“If you do move, you have to inform us of that information before you can vote,” Brown said. “Anytime anyone moves, they should let the county clerk know, and I will help them make those changes.”

According to Seabaugh, if a Scott County resident has moved, they must update their address prior to, or on, Election Day.

“However, they are highly encouraged to update their registration prior to Election Day to avoid delays while voting,” Seabaugh said. “Polling places will be very busy on Election Day.”

Seabaugh said voters can check their registration online at https://voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov/portal/ 

Seabaugh also said to register to vote for Scott County or to update their address, they can do so online at https://s1.sos.mo.gov/elections/voterregistration/ or by coming to the Scott County Clerk’s Office.

Brown said those who have recently turned 18 and will be voting for the first time are encouraged to register and vote if they haven’t already.

“I absolutely encourage them to register and come vote,” Brown said. “They can actually register before their 18th birthday, and it will activate them when their birthday comes as long as they turn 18 by Nov. 5.”

Brown said there will be a total of 12 precincts in New Madrid County.

For Scott County, there will be 21 precincts, including absentees and the central poll, according to Seabaugh.

Information from Mississippi County was unavailable at press time.