RICHMOND – There will be fewer places to vote in the Tuesday, Aug. 3 election, Ray County Clerk Glenda Powell said.

“There have been several changes and 90% of those are due to COVID,” Powell said. “It’s hard to get judges and the number of people there are who vote – we need to combine some (polls).”

Voters countywide will decide a quarter-cent jail replacement plan that contains a sunset clause to end half the tax when construction costs end.

Lawson voters will choose whether to raise the operating levy.

As Ray County’s chief election authority, Powell said she closed only polls with few voters and low turnouts based on the April elections:

• Henrietta Precinct has 204 voters and turnout for the April election came to 8.82%;

• Camden Precinct has 334 voters, 9.88% turnout;

• Stet Precinct has 217 voters, 11.06% turnout; and

• Millville Precinct has 276 voters, 9.42% turnout.

Henrietta Precinct voters had for a time voted at the Richmond First Baptist Church.

“It was moved back to Henrietta this last April, but there is still the problem with election judges,” Powell stated, so the voting is again in Richmond.

Camden voters will go either to Orrick or Richmond.

“If your school district is Orrick, then you will vote at the Orrick Baptist Church,” Powell stated. “Those whose school district is Richmond will vote at Richmond First Baptist Church.”

The Stet and Millville precincts merged, with the location to vote being New Hope Methodist Church. The distance between the two voting places is within 5 miles.

“Their numbers were really down and we weren’t able to get four (poll workers) in the April election,” Powell said.

COVID played a part in moving the Stet and Millville precincts.

“Stet fire did not want us to use the fire station to vote due to COVID,” Powell stated. “I need larger spaces to accommodate voters for social distancing.”

If there are questions, call Powell at 816-776-4503.