KCMO election board loses poll workers ahead of primary

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, Election Board lost 10 percent of its poll workers in the past two business days.

Shawn Kieffer, Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners director, said that there still are enough volunteers to assist with Tuesday’s Presidential Primary election.

Kieffer told 41 Action News the loss was due to coronavirus fears.

"They're fearful because the average age of our poll worker is at least 75 years old," said Lauri Ealom, Kieffer's counterpart.

Polling locations will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Poll workers will wipe down counters and voting machines periodically and when requested. There also will be bathrooms available for workers to wash their hands and hand sanitizer for voters.

Missouri has open primaries, so voters will choose one of five ballots (Republican, Democratic, Green, Libertarian, and Constitutional) at their polling location. You must present identification in order to vote.

Click here for a list of acceptable forms of ID.

Kieffer expects about 35 percent of registered voters in Kansas City, Missouri, to vote Tuesday.

“I think four years ago we had 32 percent. We know there is a lot of excitement, at least on the Democratic side of the ballot, so those are the numbers were anticipating on Tuesday,” he explained.

The Kansas City Election Board announced Monday that the polling place at Brookdale Wornall Place would be closed Tuesday due to unforeseen circumstances. Voters in Ward 10 at Precinct 11 will need to vote at Summit View Church instead.

They did not say whether this was due to a loss of poll workers.

Voters who are in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.