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Blunt reminds judges they can not keep polls open past closing time

November 4, 2002
By: Elizabeth Gill
State Capital Bureau

Secretary of State Matt Blunt orders Missouri judges to close polls on time on Election Day. I'm Elizabeth Gill with the story in Jefferson City.

Blunt issued a letter to Missouri circuit judges warning of confusion at the polls on Election Day. Blunt demands that election officials close the polls to anyone not already in line to vote by 7 o'clock pm. Blunt spokesperson Spence Jackson says the letter is in response to action taken by St. Louis Judge Evelyn Baker during the 2000 presidential election:

Story: "jackson1104"
RunTime: :19
OutCue: "stating that fact"

Baker says she kept the polls open in 2000 because long lines and a shortage of poll workers kept thousands of people from casting their ballots. She calls the 2000 election a disaster and says judges should have the right to keep polls open past closing time if necessary. From the State Capitol, I'm Elizabeth Gill.