BOONE COUNTY – Local organizations met across Boone County to help residents register to vote in Missouri’s November presidential election before the Oct. 9 deadline.

The League of Women Voters and the Associated Students of the University of Missouri have events planned for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to reach out to unregistered voters. Tuesday’s events included stops at the Food Bank Market in Columbia and a voter rally at the Daniel Boone Regional Library.

“People are busy with their daily lives and thinking about whether they are registered to vote may not be a high priority for them, especially if they are trying to support their families while working one or two jobs,” says Linda Smith said the voter registration chair of the League of Women Voters. “Instead of just telling people, ‘Our democracy is at stake,’ we want to show them how their democracy is at stake in one way or another.”

Smith added that they will continue to advocate for voters after the voter registration deadline.

“Our next effort, once the deadline passes tomorrow, will be to get out the vote – reminding people that the election is coming, reminding them about no-excuse absentee voting, and encouraging them to go to the polls,” Smith said.

Residents can also register online or go to the Boone County Clerk’s Office at 801 E. Walnut St., Rm 236 on Wednesday.

Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon says voters can begin early voting and absentee voting after the deadline if they cannot vote on Election Day.

“You don’t have to wait until election day,” Lennon said. “From October 22nd you can come to the government center and vote here. You can also find weekend options and locations on our website.”