Warrenton residents who want to vote on a $7.5 million bond measure to build a new aquatic center must register by July 12.The bond measure will be decided in a special election Tuesday, Aug. 8. The election will be open to residents of the three wards within the city of Warrenton.Bonds are essentially a loan that the city would use to fund construction of a new indoor and outdoor pool facility, along with development of a 39-acre property as a new city park. The property is located west of Highway 47 at Warrior Avenue.City officials say the bonds will be paid using existing taxes and will not involve a tax increase. However, by definition, passing the bond measure would authorize the city to increase property taxes if needed without an additional public vote. Officials said they confident that won’t be necessary.Warrenton residents who aren’t registered to vote can register at the Warren County Clerk’s office in the county administration building, 101 Mockingbird Lane.This will also be the first election under stricter voter ID requirements. Voters will have to show an approved form of photo ID to vote, such as a driver’s license. If they don’t have an approved ID, residents can still vote by showing a document with their name and address, and signing a statement.Registered voters who have changed their address must also update their registrations.Voters who don’t have a photo ID can get help from the Missouri Secretary of State’s office to obtain one nondriver license for free. Call 866-868-3245 or email ShowIt2Vote@sos.mo.gov for help.Absentee voting openThe county clerk’s office is now accepting absentee ballots for the Aug. 8 election.Registered voters who will be absent from the county on Aug. 8, or will not be able to make it due to illness, employment or other situations, may cast their vote early at the clerk’s office or request a ballot by mail.The clerk’s office accepts absentee ballots during the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office will also be open Saturday, Aug. 5, from 8 a.m. to noon.Absentee ballots will be mailed upon written request received no later than 5 p.m. Aug. 2.The written request must include the following information:• Signature of the voter;• Name of the voter;• Address at which the voter is registered;• Address where the ballot should be mailed; and• The reason for requesting an absentee ballot.Voters who registered by mail and are voting for the first time will additionally have to include a copy of their driver’s license, nondriver’s license, passport or military ID along with the request.For more information, call the county clerk’s office at 636-456-3331.ELECTION