Some changes are coming involving the voting process that Ray Countians should know, according to

Glenda Powell, county clerk.

Beginning with the Nov. 8 general elections, the changes will involve ID regulations, change-of-address regulations, voting before Election Day and the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), among other issues.

Missourians will need a photo ID to vote, Powell said. That can be a driver’s license, non-driver’s license or military ID. To obtain a driver’s license or non-driver’s license ID, visit one of two area license offices: 111 N.

Thornton St. in Richmond or 1016 Main St. in Lexington. An old ID and a piece of mail from the last 60 days with the applicant’s name are required. For now, a voter’s card that isn’t expired also is acceptable. Voters who don’t have that may use a provisional ballot, but the signatures must match.

In addition, anyone who changes addresses will find it easier to vote than in previous elections, Powell suggested.

“If you registered in the state of Missouri, if you’re active or inactive and, say, you move to Ray County, you can vote that day,” she said. “You can change your address and vote that day at the Ray County Courthouse.”

Regarding pre-election voting, voters have been allowed to obtain ballots six weeks before an election, but they “had to give us a reason,” Powell said. From now on, voters may obtain absentee ballots two weeks before an election and “you no longer have to give a reason,” she said.

Those who want to help people register to vote must get state permission to register more than 10 people, Powell said. Moreover, it’ll be a felony to vote in more than one state or on more than one ballot in the same state, she said.

It is important that voters are aware of those regulations because “people who move do not think about registering and updating their addresses,” Powell said.

Missouri will use ERIC to help ensure there’s compliance with those and other registration regulations. ERIC gives states updates about who’s registered where in what state and when they registered. After federal elections, the state “requests reports identifying voters who may have cast ballots in more than one state or more than one ballot in the state,” according to Chrissy Peters, director of elections with Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office.

“(ERIC helps with) investigation of these instances and work with local prosecutors,” Peters stated.

To contact the Ray County Clerk’s Office, call 816776-4502 or email ray@sos.mo.gov.