Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft works Thursday morning with several women in the Texas County clerk's office in Houston to prepare for the election set for Tuesday (Nov. 2). "In situations like these, it takes women like these to get an election to happen," Ashcroft said. "Secretaries of state take the credit, but they're the ones who get it done." From left, Jessie Townley, interim county clerk Peggy Seyler, Tileta Burkhead, Gayla Bratton, Linda Roberts and Ashcroft. Credit: DOUG DAVISON | HOUSTON HERALD