Although some question whether it’s necessary, in-person absentee voting in the Missouri’s presidential preference primary has begun.

Election authorities began accepting absentee ballots across the state Tuesday for Missouri’s Feb. 7 primary.

In Buchanan County, an important tax question is also on the ballot, but by Wednesday afternoon, no one had cast an absentee ballot here.

Those who vote absentee must have a reason, such as being out of the state on Election Day or a physical disability or illness.

Absentee ballots can be cast until Feb. 6. Missouri’s primary won’t have any official bearing on the presidential nominee. The party convention delegates will be chosen later in 2012.

Missouri taxpayers will pay between $4 million and $8 million for the non-binding presidential vote. The primary includes four Democrats, 10 Republicans and one Libertarian candidate.

In Buchanan County, voters will once again be asked to approve the county’s CIP sales tax. Voters overwhelmingly rejected continuing the quarter-cent tax in August in a ballot measure that did not include a sunset provision.

In February, voters will consider renewing the tax with a ten-year sunset clause.

Buchanan County Clerk Mary Baack-Garvey has about 800 voters on the permanent absentee voter list. They have received ballots, and will return them by mail. All other absentee voters will be asked to cast ballots at the Clerk’s office in the Buchanan County Courthouse at 411 Jules in St Joseph.

Baack-Garvey does not expect a big turnout for the February election, either by absentee ballot or on election day at the county’s polling places.