Not everyone will need to go to the polls for the June 2 municipal/school election and, in fact, some polling places won’t even be open due to no races in that precinct.
Below is a breakdown of what will be on the various ballots in Grundy County and where voters should go to vote:
Trenton’s Four Wards – Voters in Trenton’s four wards will all have the opportunity to vote on a 5 percent lodging tax for motels and hotels and while the city council candidates are also listed on the ballot, there are no races as only one candidate filed in each of the wards. Voters in those four wards will also see four candidates listed for the three open seats on the Trenton R-9 School District, however, incumbent Doug Franklin announced after the ballots were printed that he is moving from the area and will not be serving. That leaves three candidates to fill the three positions – incumbents Corey Leeper and Brandon Gibler and newcomer Andy Burress. Those in the first ward can vote at the Grundy County Courthouse, while second ward voters may cast ballots at the Frey Administrative Building on the North Central Missouri College campus and third ward voters can cast ballots at the First Christian Church. The fourth ward polling place is the First Baptist Church activity center.
Jefferson Lincoln and Harrison Townships – The only issue on the ballots in those townships will be the Trenton R-9 School Board, which now does not have a race. However these voters can still vote that ballot at the Grundy County Courthouse, if desired.
Jackson Township – There are no issues on the ballot for Jackson Township voters, who normally vote at the First Baptist Church.
Liberty Township – The only issue on the ballot would be the Trenton R-9 school board race, which is no longer relevant with the withdrawal of Doug Franklin. There are only nine R-9 voters in the township and no polling place will be set up. Those wishing to cast an absentee ballot may do so at the courthouse up to and including election day.
Myers Township – The only issue on the ballot for Myers Township voters is the Spickard R-2 School District board election, which has three open positions and three candidates – Charles Holtzclaw, Roger Bonnett and Chelsea White. With only 14 voters from Myers Township living in the R-2 school district, no polling place will be open and all voters are invited to cast absentee ballots.
Madison and Taylor Townships – The only item on the ballot will be the Trenton R-9 School Board election. Those who wish to cast ballots in the non-existent race may do so at the Edinburg Baptist Church.
Wilson Township – Voters will be asked to elect one of two candidates for Laredo mayor – Cassidy Russell and Carol Holloway. In addition, two persons – Helen Golden and Bruce McFie – are candidates for the two at-large Laredo aldermen positions. There are also two registered voters in the township who reside within the Meadville R-4 School District who will be asked to elect three school board members from a list of six. Those on the ballot are Kristen Gunn, Michael Alan Moore, Jr., Sandra Johnson, Cody Smith, Diana K. Howe and Mason Kiehl. Voters will cast ballots at the Laredo Community Building.
Marion Township – There are no issues on the ballot for voters in this township, who normally vote at Laredo.
Franklin Township – The Spickard R-2 School Board election, which has three candidates for three positions, will be on the ballot. Those who wish to vote may do so at the Spickard R-2 School.
Washington Township – This township has voters who reside within three different school districts – Trenton R-9, Spickard R-2 and Princeton R-5 – with none having actual races. However, Washington Township voters can cast a ballot in those elections as well as for or against an additional 35-cent township levy for a four-year period. Voters can cast ballots at the Spickard R-2 School.
COVID-19 Changes
Grundy County Clerk Betty Spickard said changes are being made to absentee voting rules due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone wishing to vote by mail can send a letter to her office at 700 Main St., Trenton, MO 64683 (mark it Attention: County Clerk) and a ballot will be mailed to them. The letter should include a signature and a contact phone number as well as an address to which the ballot should be mailed if it is different than the registration address.
Another option would be to email Mrs. Spickard at [email protected] and request a ballot, with the above information included in the request. Those requests must be made by Wednesday, May 27 to allow time for the ballots to be delivered by mail.
Mrs. Spickard said this process will avoid the requesting/mailing/signing of an application for the ballot and will help shorten the mail process. Ballots can be mailed back to her office or can be dropped off in the treasurer’s office drop box, located on the north side of the courthouse. For this election only, the requirement that ballots be notarized will be waived.
Mrs. Spickard said the courthouse is not locked but those who do not want to come inside to vote absentee can call her office at 359-4040, ext. 4 and the application will be processed and a ballot provided curbside. The ballot can be voted inside the person’s vehicle, with office staff finishing the process and returning the ballot to the office.
Mrs. Spickard said her office will work with any voters who wish to vote but do not want to be out in crowds at this time and she encouraged those with questions to call her office.
Ballots can also be cast in her office until 5 p.m. on Monday, June 1.
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