Officials share what Buchanan County voters need to know ahead of the Primary Election

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- With the primary election two weeks away, voters will soon head to the polls to submit their votes on which candidates they would like to see advance to the General Election ballots.

Before voters head to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 4, there are ways to be prepared to ensure there is proper identification.

Acceptable forms of identification for voting are any government- or state-issued ID.

"Your driver's license, a non-driver license; if you're a veteran and it's photo, we will take military ID and also a passport," Buchanan County Clerk Mary Baack-Garvey said.

Voters won't need to bring their voter registration card, but it could be a great second form of identification.

"It's now called a voter information card. It tells them the district they reside in, and where their polling location is," Baack-Garvey said

Digital copies of ID's are also acceptable at the polls.

"If they recently just received a new one and it's a piece of paper, yes, that's acceptable. I would think if you would take a picture of your ID on your phone, as long as we can verify that's you as the voter, then yes, it's acceptable," Baack-Garvey said.

Researching the candidates and issues on the ballot can also make the voting process smoother for those heading to the polls.

"That way, when you do receive the ballot that you chose, it is a primary, so you have to pick a political party," Baack-Garvey said. "You know who you're voting for and you're not sitting there studying."

Baack-Garvey said not to wear shirts with candidates or bring flyers to the polls, with aims to campaign for candidates.

"Our election judges are trained to ask these people very politely to either cover it up or turn it inside out," Baack-Garvey said. "No flyers, people like to hand things out outside the polling location. We discourage that because it's considered electioneering."

Voters who have recently changed their address are still eligible to vote, but they should verify whether their polling location has changed. Polling locations can be found on the Buchanan County website.

The Primary Election will take place on Aug. 4. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.