Voters are heading to the polls in record numbers during the 2016 election. Many states offer early voting, but Missouri does not.
RELATED: Missouri voters in KC metro area wait in long lines on Election Day
In Missouri, voters can apply for an absentee ballot if they have a valid excuse.
On Election Day, some voters in the state experienced long wait times. The Jackson County Election Board director said that early voting is not an option because of the cost.
“Early voting would have to be done at the state level,”said Beth Vonnahme, University of Missouri-Kansas City political science professor.
“Resources can be a reason why a state doesn’t move towards early voting because it does cost money to have polling locations available, to pay poll workers and in many counties, it’s not just about paying poll workers, it’s about getting poll workers.”
In order for the state to issue early voting, action is required by the legislature.
“It’s possible that an initiative, an amendment or a proposition could institute early voting,” said Vonnahme.
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