RESOLUTION NO. 190933

Directing the City Manager to develop protocols for absentee voting for the City’s inmates eligible to vote and report back to Council within ninety days.

WHEREAS, the exercise of one’s right to vote is one of the most powerful acts a citizen in a democracy can undertake; and

WHEREAS, the City houses inmates serving Municipal Court sentences in various locations; and

WHEREAS, some inmates will be in custody during election days and will be unable to vote at their assigned polling places; and

WHEREAS, Section 115.277, RSMo, allows for absentee voting for registered voters eligible, but unable, to vote at their polling place due to incarceration, provided all qualifications for voting are retained; and

WHEREAS, the Council believes the right to vote for those eligible should be safeguarded whenever possible; and

WHEREAS, the Council believes protocols for absentee voting by detainees will help achieve these goals after taking into account the possibly difficult logistics of attaining these goals; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the City Manager is hereby directed to develop protocols for absentee voting for the City’s inmates eligible to vote and report back to Council within ninety days.

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