KANSAS CITY, Mo. — COVID-19 had an unprecedented impact on elections in 2020 with thousands of people across the Kansas City area opting to vote by mail amid the pandemic.
In Missouri, mail-in ballots were a new option for voters who didn't want to risk possible exposure to COVID-19 on Election Day at possibly crowded polling locations.
Election commissioners around Kansas City said they didn't notice any major hiccups despite the unique the circumstances.
"I think we’re still in a little bit of shock that it went as smoothly as it did here," Corey Dillion, Democrat director for the Jackson County Election Board, said.
That revelation came with a sense of relief for Dillon, who helped oversee the counting of more than 30,000 mail-in ballots and 30,000 absentee ballots.
"Having that flexibility to get your ballot by mail or go vote in person absentee on the day that works best for you I think certainly worked to voter’s advantage this year," Dillon said.
Clay County election officials reported receiving more than 17,000 mail-in ballots under the new law, which are different than absentee or in-person absentee ballots that have been permitted in pre-COVID-19 elections.
KCMO reported more than 19,000 mail-in ballots and Platte County reported more than 8,000.
"As we expand that ability to not do in-person voting, we need to make sure that we understand we’re increasing the ability for elections to go longer," Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who was reelcted Tuesday, said via videoconference. "We are increasing the potential for people’s votes not to count."
Ashcroft said Thursday he is not in favor of extending this type of voting for future elections.
"Here in Missouri, we’ve been very cautious about making changes, because unintended consequences suddenly loom large when you get into elections like this," he said.
Despite that concern, Ashcroft admitted there were no major problems during this election, even with the thousands of mail-in ballots.
But the law allowing mail-in ballots in Missouri, which passed in June, expires at the end of 2020. The state legislature would have to step in to extend the option.
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41 Action News is committed to providing comprehensive information on the 2020 primary and general elections with an emphasis on several key issues — the economy, the COVID-19 pandemic and race relations. Count on us to provide news and information to help you make an informed choice at the polls.