Ashcroft emphasizes election safety during Poplar Bluff visit

“I think we’re gong to have safer elections than we’ve ever had because we’re actually focused on this.”

That’s the message Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft wants voters to know as the June 2 municipal election approaches, and others aren’t far behind in August and November.

“We’re going to be cleaning. We’re going to have sneeze guards for poll workers and masks and social distancing,” Ashcroft said during a stop in Poplar Bluff Monday afternoon.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft explains all the safety and election supplies he brought Monday to the Butler County Clerk's Office to office manager Natasha Sentell.DAR/Paul Davis

“If people can go to Walmart or whatever, they can come to vote. There’s no good reason for people not to come out,” he emphasized.

Ashcroft is in the midst of a 10-day tour across the state to deliver election and safety supplies to each election authority.

Some of the included items in his distribution at the Butler County Clerk’s office, Ashcroft said, included multiple types of hand sanitizer, masks, face guards, distancing strips and posters “to remind people to keep their distance.”

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft arrives at the Butler County Courthouse Monday with election and safety supplies to be used during the upcoming June, August and November elections.DAR/Paul Davis

As the June election nears, Ashcroft also is questioning each county clerk about his or her preparations and needs.

“The county clerk runs the elections. We’re just here to be helpful,” he said. “I want to know what else we need to do for them, how are they doing with their election workers and polling places …”

Ashcroft said he has heard of some pushback about the June election, with some saying they’re scared to go out to vote, but he insists safety measures will be adequate.

“I want to highlight to them what election authorities across the state are doing to make it safe,” he said Monday. “I don’t think people understand how much election authorities are working with the distancing.”

He also said many counties are encouraging people to use curbside voting and other means.

“If you meet the requirements for absentee ballots, go ahead and do that,” he recommended for those who still aren’t sure about going to a polling location.

“If people have any concerns, I would refer them to the county clerk. Obviously, poll workers are your friends and neighbors. They’re not some murky, black bureaucracy in some smoke-filled room. They’re going to have signage and help you,” he said. “They’re there to make sure if you’re registered, you can vote, so just bear with them.”

Questions about the coming election can be referred to the Butler County Clerk’s Office at 573-686-8050.