Missouri Governor Mike Parson said he plans to vote in next week’s local elections, if at all possible, but he doesn’t yet know if he’ll go in person or cast an absentee ballot.
When asked by House Minority Leader, Crystal Quade, during Thursday’s press briefing if he had a message for voters who are thinking about going to the polls next Tuesday, Parson said local officials are working to make polling places safe.
“One of the most important things we can all do is to vote,” he said. But he contradicted that statement moments later.
“I hope people feel safe, but, to go out and vote,” he said, “but if they don’t, you know, the number one thing is their safety should be number one, so if they don’t then don’t go out and vote.”
He followed that by saying that the elections are important.
“They’re important for what goes on down the road,” he said.
Parson Thursday said he's extending Phase 1 of Missouri’s Show Me Strong Recovery Plan to through June 15. It had been set to go through this Sunday.
Some communities are “farther along than others in the recovery process,” according to Parson. He said extending Phase 1 will give communities more time to prepare for Phase 2.
Parson said the decision wasn’t made because the state has taken steps back.
