Starting Nov. 1, you can log in to HealthCare.gov, fill out an application and enroll in a 2018 Marketplace health plan. Enroll by Dec. 15, 2017, and your coverage starts Jan. 1, 2018. Plans and prices for 2018 will be available to preview shortly before Nov. 1.

Here are some ways to get ready to apply for 2018 coverage:

• Get a quick overview of the Health Insurance Marketplace.
• See if you will save on health insurance coverage (based on 2017 information, which will change slightly for 2018).
• Learn how to estimate your income for your application.
• Use this checklist (PDF) to gather documents you will need.
• Contact the Marketplace Call Center to get your questions answered.
• Visit our Find Local Help page and search by city and state or ZIP code to find trained helpers in your community.

There are several ways to learn more about the Affordable Care Act or the federal Health Insurance Marketplace:

• Call the Marketplace Call Center: 1-800-318-2596 or TTY: 1-855-889-4325.
  Someone is available to assist you 24/7.
• Visit www.healthcare.gov for live chat assistance.
• Visit CuidadoDeSalud.gov for Spanish.
• Visit www.covermissouri.org.

On Tuesday, Nov. 7, nearly 30 Missouri counties will hold elections, and St. Louis County is one of them. Below you will find information from the secretary of state's website on voter registration, the new photo voter ID law and a few helpful links to make sure you know when and where to go, and what you will need to bring, on Election Day.

POLLING PLACES ARE OPEN FROM 6 A.M. TO 7 P.M. ON ELECTION DAY.

Important: If you are in line at the closing time of 7 p.m. you have the right to cast your vote.

POLLING PLACE LOCATIONS AND VOTER INFORMATION

Find out where you are registered to vote and where you vote.

ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF VOTER ID

Effective June 1, 2017, the following forms of ID are acceptable for voting purposes in Missouri:

• Nonexpired Missouri driver license;
• Nonexpired or nonexpiring Missouri nondriver license;
• Nonexpired document containing the voter's name and photograph and issued by the U.S. or the state of Missouri; or
• Nonexpired or nonexpiring military ID card containing a photograph.

You may also use these forms of ID and sign a statement provided by the election judge at your polling place:

• ID issued by the state of Missouri, an agency of the state or a local election authority of the state;
• ID issued by the U.S. government or agency thereof;
• ID issued by an institution of higher education, including a university, college or vocational and technical school, located within the state of Missouri; or
• A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document that contains the name and address of the voter.

If you do not possess any of these forms of ID but are a registered voter, you may still cast a provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot will be counted if you return to the polling place and show a valid photo ID or if the signature on the provisional ballot envelope matches the signature on your voter registration record.

View a sample list of acceptable forms of ID.

HOW DO I GET A FREE PHOTO ID TO VOTE?

If you need a photo ID to vote and do not have one, click on the link below and complete the form to get started. The secretary of state's office will receive your information and help you obtain the documents you need.

Request Help Here

VOTING WITH A PAPER BALLOT

Missouri no longer allows the "straight party" ticket option. You must mark your ballot individually for each candidate you choose.

VOTING ON ELECTION MACHINES

• Know how to properly use your voting equipment and cast your ballot.
• Ask for a demonstration or assistance from an election judge if you need additional assistance.
• Read the instructions posted in your polling place.
• Second Chance Voting — if you accidentally over-vote your ballot (mark more candidates for a race than to be elected), you will have the opportunity to correct your ballot.

ACCESSIBLE VOTING

Curbside Voting: Voters with limited mobility can vote "curbside," or outside the polling place. Just go to your polling place and ask someone to go in and ask poll workers to bring a ballot out to you. They should bring you a ballot within a reasonable period of time.

Accessible Polling Places: If you have physical disabilities and your polling place is not accessible, you may request a different polling place assignment so that you may vote in a more accessible polling place. You may also vote at a central location. Simply contact your local election authority to make this request. Find your local election authority here or by calling 1-800-NOW-VOTE.

Accessible Voting Systems: Every polling place must have an accessible voting system for individuals with disabilities including audiovisual accessibility. Accessible systems include an audio ballot to make your selections or the ability to enlarge text so that you can read the on-screen ballot with ease.

Permanent Absentee Voting: If you have a permanent physical disability, you may request to be placed on a designated list so that your local election authority can automatically mail an absentee ballot application directly to you prior to each election. You will need to make this request directly to your local election authority who will send you further information.

ABSENTEE VOTING

Registered Missourians who expect to be prevented from going to their polling place on Election Day may vote absentee beginning six weeks prior to an election. Absentee voters must provide one of the following reasons for voting absentee:

1. Absence on Election Day from the jurisdiction of the election authority in which such voter is registered to vote;
2. Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability, including a person who is primarily responsible for the physical care of a person who is incapacitated or confined due to illness or disability;
3. Religious belief or practice;
4. Employment as an election authority, as a member of an election authority or by an election authority at a location other than such voter's polling place;
5. Incarceration, provided all qualifications for voting are retained; or
6. Certified participation in the address confidentiality program established under sections 589.660 to 589.681 because of safety concerns.

Voters can request absentee ballots from their local election authority in person or by fax. Faxed absentee ballot requests should be submitted to the appropriate local election authority. Relatives within the second degree (spouse, parents and children) may complete an absentee ballot application, in person, on behalf of the voter who wishes to vote absentee. DO NOT SEND ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE. ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS MUST BE SENT TO THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL ELECTION AUTHORITY BY THE DEADLINE IN ORDER TO BE VALID. Contact information for local election authorities and an absentee ballot application form may be found at the links below.

• Local Election Authority Contact Information
• Request for Missouri Absentee Ballot Form

Mailed or faxed absentee ballot requests must be received by the election authority no later than the 5 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to any election. Voters can vote by absentee in the office of the local election authority until 5 p.m. the night before the election.

Voters requesting an absentee ballot by mail who have registered by mail and have not voted in person are required to submit a copy of their personal ID unless they provided a copy with their registration application. Examples of acceptable ID are:

1. ID issued by the state of Missouri, an agency of the state or a local election authority of the state;
2. ID issued by the U.S. government or agency thereof;
3. ID issued by an institution of higher education, including a university, college or vocational and technical school, located within the state of Missouri;
4. A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that contains the name and address of the voter; or
5. Other ID approved by the secretary of state under rules promulgated pursuant to Missouri law.

This ID requirement, as well as the notary requirement for absentee ballots, does not apply to overseas voters, those on active military duty or members of their immediate family living with them or voters who are permanently disabled and their caregivers.

Additional information for military and overseas voters may be found at the section entitled Military and Overseas Voters.

For questions regarding elections in Missouri, contact the secretary of state’s office by calling 1-800-669-8683.

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. Whether we realize it or not, the internet touches almost all aspects of daily life. National Cyber Security Awareness Month is designed to engage and educate public and private sector partners through events and initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity, provide them with tools and resources needed to stay safe online and increase the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident.

In early September, Equifax announced it had experienced a massive data breach at the hands of criminal hackers. The hackers accessed the sensitive personal information of approximately 143 million Americans. Information obtained includes people's names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, some driver's license numbers, credit card numbers for close to 209,000 people and dispute documents with personal identifying information for around 182,000 people. All of this information could now end up in the wrong hands. The Federal Trade Commission’s website provides helpful information on what you should do if you think your data has been compromised.

Constituents of the 13th Senatorial District are encouraged to take advantage of an upcoming fun and free event hosted by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The event will be held at the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, near the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Reservations can be made any time Wed.-Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (314) 877-6014 to reserve your spot now.

Dutch Oven Cooking (Ages 12+)

When: Saturday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Who: Families

Explore the basics of this timeless outdoor skill. If you bring the interest and enthusiasm, they will bring the fixins and the know-how. Reservations will be taken through Oct. 28.