Court Rules Mail-In Ballots Must be Mailed

Missourians who chose the vote by mail option must use the postal system to return their ballot instead of delivering them in person.

Missourians who chose the vote by mail option must use the postal system to return their ballot instead of delivering them in person

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals decision upholds a state law requiring ballots be returned through the U.S. Postal Service. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Parson signed the law allowing mail-in voting due to concerns that in- person voting could potentially spread the virus. The law expanded voting procedures and required the mailing in of ballots.

Organization for Black Struggle, a St. Louis non-profit, filed a lawsuit citing mail-in ballot restrictions. Although the law was designed to make the voting process safer by allowing Missourians to avoid voting locations, OBS wants the Court to allow mail-in ballots to be returned in person.

The Secretary of State’s Office argued that changing the rules so close to the election would confuse voters. The Secretary of State noted that thousands of Missourians have already received their mail-in ballots which contain the instructions that they must be returned by mail.

This isn’t the first instance of law suits involving new COVID-19 related voting laws this year. On October 9 KPGZ News reported that the Missouri Supreme Court rejected arguments from NAACP, ACLU and the League of Women Voters, along with three registered voters. These groups sought to remove the notary requirement for mail-in voting in the November General Election. That story can be read here.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story