Right now, voters either have to put a stamp on their ballot, or they can drop it in a ballot drop box.
If this proposed bill were to pass, the state would cover all postage costs.
Jackson County Clerk Chris Walker monitors and reviews a lot of the legislative bills.
She says the Jackson County Clerk’s Office doesn’t have an official stance on the bill, but she thinks the legislative committee is looking for ways to help voters.
“Anytime we can encourage our voters to participate in the process, that’s all we can ask for as county clerks because ultimately participation is what we’re here for. We want our citizens to take part and engage in the process of voting,” Walker said.
The change would cost taxpayers nearly $650,000 a year.
The bill’s authors say having the postage already paid for would help low-income or elderly voters who may not be able to go to the drop box location.
If the bill passes, it would go into effect after January of 2019.
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