CLAY COUNTY, Mo. (KCTV) – More than 55 million people have already voted early or by mail this election. Locally, that’s led to long lines at some polling stations – with some voters in Jackson County waiting up to four hours last Friday and Saturday.
However, one Missouri county has a new feature for this year’s presidential election to let you know how long you might wait at the polls.
“We launched the wait time app in August for the primary election and it went really well,” said Heather Hall, Clay County’s Election Board Director of Elections. “The voters really liked it, the poll workers really liked it, so we decided we would do it again for November.”
To use the “wait time” technology, simply open your browser and go to voteclaycountymo.gov. Once there, find the “Polling Places/Wait Times” tab. Click it, and scroll down to early voting. Within seconds, you’ll find a map showing your current wait times at the polls.
“A lot of the voters said it’s really nice to know how long it is so they can adjust their day and know what kind of schedule they are going to have,” Hall said. “It’s been really helpful for our three locations doing our no-excuse absentee voting at Gladstone, Kearney, and [Liberty].”
Wednesday afternoon, the early voting line stretched around the Clay County Election Board office in Liberty. One voter told KCTV5 checking the online wait times helped her save a few minutes.
“It was a couple of clicks, and then it showed me that it was 20 minutes right now to get in line and cast your ballot,” said Stephanie Swanson. “I checked my watch when I lined up and it took 21 minutes to walk through, vote, and walk back out. Very accurate and very helpful.”
People in line said the option to vote early, as well as posting the wait times online, makes for better elections.
“It’s just making things easier for giving everybody the opportunity to vote,” said Laura Pixler. “You don’t have to worry about if you can get in or not get in, not have to worry about being late for work or getting up at the crack of dawn. You can make it on your own schedule.”
Since early voting started in Clay County on Oct. 22, 33,000 people have voted in the county – or almost 20% of its electorate. The county thinks it could break its voter turnout record.
“I hope so. It feels like it,” Hall said. “We’re on the road to that, for sure, right now.”
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