Election day delay inconsistent with history

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Election day delay inconsistent with history

Fri, 05/22/2020 - 02:43
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JEFFERSON CITY – The decision by Gov. Mike Parson and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, both Republicans, to delay the April 7 municipal elections to June 2 has drawn criticism from leading Democrats. The criticism is not about calling off in-person voting during a contagion; instead, the issue is about failing to the let the public cast votes by mail. The decision to call off elections means any momentum that may have been building for area candidates and election issues – including Proposition T in Excelsior Springs and Proposition KIDS in Orrick – has been slowed. The sole Democrat running to unseat Ashcroft in November, West Point graduate and Army veteran Yinka Faleti, opposed the decision, saying an alternative existed. “We cannot postpone democracy. Given the trajectory of this pandemic, the best practice is to facilitate no-excuse vote by mail now,” Faleti said. Ashcroft appeared at a COVID-19 press conference held by Parson in Jefferson City. Ashcroft did not mention voting;…

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