County Clerk / Election Authority

Notice of Candidates and Addresses August 2026 6.10.2026

Cape Girardeau County, Missouri – The Cape Girardeau County Clerk’s Office will mail 2026 Voter Identification Cards to registered voters within the next few days.

These cards are mailed every two years to canvass voter registration records, as required by Missouri law. If you receive a card for someone who no longer resides at your address, please mark it “Return to Sender” and place it back in the mailbox.

The new card replaces all previously issued cards and includes the voter’s name, address, polling place, voting precinct, and the jurisdictions in which the voter is eligible to vote. Voters who have moved or changed their name must update their voter registration record.

“Keeping voter information accurate is an important part of maintaining secure and efficient elections,” said County Clerk Kara Clark Summers. “We encourage all voters to review their card and notify our office of any updates.”

A photo identification issued by the United States or the State of Missouri is required to vote. A qualified voter who does not have a valid photo ID may cast a provisional ballot.

For questions or media inquiries, please contact Joshua Wiseman or Kara Clark Summers at (573)243-3547, Option 2 or by Email at voting@capecounty.us

PUBLIC TESTING OF AUTOMATIC TABULATION EQUIPMENT

Notice is hereby given that a public testing of the automatic tabulating equipment to be used on Election Day for the polling locations for the April 7, 2026 General Municipal Election will be given at the County Administration Building, #1 Barton Square, Jackson, Missouri on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

The test will be observed by at least two persons designated by the election authority, one from each major political party, and will be open to representatives of the political parties, candidates, the news media, and the public.

The test will ascertain that the equipment is in compliance with the law and that it will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all questions.  The test will be conducted by processing a pre-audited group of ballots.  If any error is detected, the cause shall be ascertained and corrected, and an errorless count shall be made before the tabulating equipment is approved.

Pursuant to Section 115.233 RSMo.

VERIFICATION BOARD AND CERTIFICATION OF ELECTION RESULTS

Notice is hereby given that Kara Clark Summers, Election Authority for Cape Girardeau County, will convene the Verification Board for the April 7, 2026 General Municipal Election at the County Administration Building, # 1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO 63755.

The verification and certification process will be completed by a bi-partisan team of election judges and will take place on Thursday, April 9, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday, April 10, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The tentative agenda of the meeting includes convening the board, oath of election judge, random selection of precincts for manual recount, verification of the count and certification of election results, posttest of tabulation equipment, and adjournment.

Pursuant to Section 115.501 RSMo.

For questions, contact:

Joshua Wiseman, Supervisor of Elections, 573.204.2416

Kara Clark Summers, County Clerk, 573.243.3547

2026-2027 Winning Design

The Cape Girardeau County Clerk’s Office is pleased to announce the selection of a new official “I Voted” sticker for Cape Girardeau County Elections. The winning design was chosen by the public and will be used for all elections held in the county during 2026 and 2027.

Six finalist designs were submitted for public voting. The winning sticker was designed by Aniston Schumer of Cape Girardeau.  The first runner-up was Kayla McCain of Jackson, and the second runner-up was Joanna Iwuchukwu of Cape Girardeau.

The County Clerk’s Office congratulates the winner and runners-up and extends sincere appreciation to all participants who submitted artwork, as well as to the community members who took the time to vote for their favorite design. Special thanks are also extended to local schools and media outlets for helping promote the contest and encourage civic engagement.

The “I Voted” sticker design contest began on September 30, 2025, and was open to all residents of Cape Girardeau County.

For any questions or media inquiries, please contact Joshua Wiseman, Chief Deputy County Clerk/Supervisor of Elections of Cape Girardeau County at (573)204-2416 or jdwiseman@capecounty.us.

Voting is now open for our 2026-2027 ‘I VOTED’ Sticker Contest. Each person will be permitted to vote only once. Voting will end on December 12, 2025. Good luck to our Finalists!

Follow the link below to cast your vote for the Cape Girardeau County Election Sticker Design for 2026-2027:

https://forms.gle/2EN9Gq39ucNL4ngy5

Cape Girardeau County, Missouri – Cape Girardeau County will not be holding an election on November 4, 2025. The next scheduled election is April 7, 2026 General Municipal Election. Please contact our office with any questions (573)243-3547 option #2.

The Cape Girardeau County Clerk’s Office announces the start of the biennial “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest on September 29, 2025.  The contest is open to all Cape Girardeau County residents and the winning design will be used as the official “I Voted” sticker distributed at the polls during the 2026-2027 election years.

This is the fifth “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest to be held in Cape Girardeau County. Previous winners include Lydia Riehn of Jackson (2018-2019), Brian Hahs of Jackson (2020-2021), Lydia Strickland of Cape Girardeau (2022-2023), and Julia Peters of Burfordville (2024-2025). In addition to having their artwork at every polling location, the winning design will be displayed in the County Clerk’s Office alongside past winners

“We are excited to hold the sticker design contest again,” said County Clerk Kara Clark Summers.  “Our goal is to encourage county residents to participate civically by using their creative talents.” This is a great opportunity for schools to get their students involved.

After all designs have been submitted, finalists will be selected by a panel of judges.  Judging will be based on artistic skill, theme, and uniqueness of the design.  Once finalists are selected, the winner will be selected by popular vote via the Cape Girardeau County Clerk’s website. Voters will be limited to one vote per person and voters must be a resident of Cape Girardeau County.

“I am excited to see the submitted designs and looking forward to another new ‘I Voted’ sticker unique to our County,” added Kara Clark Summers.

Contestants must agree to the Official Rules of the contest and submit their designs by completing a Design Entry Form.  All submissions must be made electronically by 5:00 PM on November 7, 2025.  More information is available on the County Clerk’s website at capecountyvotes.com.

For any questions or media inquiries, please contact Joshua Wiseman, Chief Deputy County Clerk/Supervisor of Elections of Cape Girardeau County at (573)204-2416 or jdwiseman@capecounty.us.

PUBLIC TESTING OF AUTOMATIC TABULATION EQUIPMENT

Notice is hereby given that a public test of the automatic tabulating equipment to be used on Election Day for the polling locations for the August 5, 2025 Special Election will be given at the County Administration Building, #1 Barton Square, Jackson, Missouri on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

The test will be observed by at least two persons designated by the election authority, one from each major political party, and will be open to representatives of the political parties, candidates, the news media, and the public.

The test will ascertain that the equipment is in compliance with the law and that it will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all questions.  The test will be conducted by processing a pre-audited group of ballots.  If any error is detected, the cause shall be ascertained and corrected, and an errorless count shall be made before the tabulating equipment is approved.

Pursuant to Section 115.233 RSMo.

VERIFICATION BOARD AND CERTIFICATION OF ELECTION RESULTS

Notice is hereby given that Kara Clark Summers, Election Authority for Cape Girardeau County, will convene the Verification Board for the August 5, 2025 Special Election at the County Administration Building, # 1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO 63755.

The verification and certification process will be completed by a bi-partisan team of election judges and will take place on Friday, August 8, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The tentative agenda of the meeting includes convening the board, oath of election judge, random selection of precincts for manual recount, verification of the count and certification of election results, posttest of tabulation equipment, and adjournment.

Pursuant to Section 115.501 RSMo.

For questions, contact:

Joshua Wiseman, Supervisor of Elections, 573.204.2416

Kara Clark Summers, County Clerk, 573.243.3547

The City of Cape Girardeau is holding a special election on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Absentee voting begins on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

No Excuse Absentee voting begins on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

Absentee in person voting will be conducted at the County Clerk’s office in Jackson and our County Satellite Office in Cape Girardeau.

PUBLIC TESTING OF AUTOMATIC TABULATION EQUIPMENT

Notice is hereby given that a public test of the automatic tabulating equipment to be used on Election Day for the polling locations for the April 8, 2025 General Municipal Election will be given at the County Administration Building, #1 Barton Square, Jackson, Missouri on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

The test will be observed by at least two persons designated by the election authority, one from each major political party, and will be open to representatives of the political parties, candidates, the news media, and the public.

The test will ascertain that the equipment is in compliance with the law and that it will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all questions.  The test will be conducted by processing a pre-audited group of ballots.  If any error is detected, the cause shall be ascertained and corrected, and an errorless count shall be made before the tabulating equipment is approved.

Pursuant to Section 115.233 RSMo.

VERIFICATION BOARD AND CERTIFICATION OF ELECTION RESULTS

Notice is hereby given that Kara Clark Summers, Election Authority for Cape Girardeau County, will convene the Verification Board for the April 8, 2025 General Municipal Election at the County Administration Building, # 1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO 63755.

The verification and certification process will be completed by a bi-partisan team of election judges and will take place on Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday, April 11, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The tentative agenda of the meeting includes convening the board, oath of election judge, random selection of precincts for manual recount, verification of the count and certification of election results, posttest of tabulation equipment, and adjournment.

Pursuant to Section 115.501 RSMo.

For questions, contact:

Joshua Wiseman, Supervisor of Elections, 573.204.2416

Kara Clark Summers, County Clerk, 573.243.3547