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Special State Election on Succoth Deprives Orthodox of Right to Vote

August 25, 1971
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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The Vaad Hoeir, the Orthodox Jewish Community Council here, has launched a letter-writing campaign to members of the State Legislature to protest the scheduling of a special statewide election for Oct. 5, the second day of Succoth. The Council charged that observant Jews will in effect be deprived of their right to vote. Gov. Warren E. Hearns, in response to a letter from Rabbi Maurice D. Solomon of the Kehilath Israel Synagogue who had expressed his concern over the Governor’s recent calling for the election, expressed his regrets about the date. “Needless to say, had I known of the problem concerning Oct. 5. I would certainly not have chosen that date. No one thought about it, but it has been done, and there is no way to change it.” Hearns added that he has no authority over polling hours. “I can only say I am sorry.” he concluded, “but I know that this will not be of any great benefit to you or others of your faith who find themselves in a like position.” Missouri law provides for the use of absentee ballots only in the case of illness or absence from the community.

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