Voting & Elections Toolkits

Deadline

• Voter registration deadlines are determined “by the Election Day deadline, or the normal close of business of any public building where registration is allowed, whichever is later, on the fourth Wednesday prior to the election. If registering by mail, [the] registration must be postmarked on the fourth Wednesday prior to the election. If you register after such time, you will be registered to vote in subsequent elections.”
• Election Calendar for 2024

Online registration

Online registration form

Mail-in registration

Printable form
Voter Registration Applications must be postmarked by the Election Day deadline.

Missouri law does not require an individual to register by political party.

If a voter chooses to participate in the August Primary in even-numbered years, the voter will be asked by the Election Judges which party ballot the voter wishes to vote. No record is kept of the voter's selection by the County Clerk's Office.

Updating registration      

Missouri law requires that a voter cast a ballot based on one’s current address and current name. Update voter registration.

Cancelling registration

If you move to a different county or state, you must re-register with your new county and/or state to vote. Notify the county clerk in the Missouri county where you registered to vote if you move out of state.

Note: St. Louis City and St. Louis County are not the same office and they each have separate mailing addresses.

ID Requirements for Voting

The following forms of identification are acceptable for voting purposes in Missouri:

Option 1:

• Nonexpired Missouri driver license
• Nonexpired or nonexpiring Missouri non-driver license
• Nonexpired document which contains the voter's name and photograph and is issued by the United States or the state of Missouri, or
• Nonexpired or nonexpiring military ID card which contains a photograph

Option 2:

• Identification issued by the state of Missouri, an agency of the state, or a local election authority of the state
• Identification issued by the United States government or agency thereof

Option 3:

If you do not possess any of these forms of identification, but are a registered voter, you may cast a provisional ballot.

Your provisional ballot will count if: (1) you return to your polling place on Election Day with a photo ID; or (2) the signature on your provisional ballot envelope is determined by your local election authority to match the signature on your voter registration record.

If you cast a provisional ballot, you will receive a stub from your provisional ballot envelope with instructions on how to verify that your provisional ballot is counted.

Where to get an ID

Documents needed to get a Missouri Driver/Non-Driver License

All registered Missouri voters must show a current photo ID to vote.

To be able to sign the poll book and obtain a ballot, the voter must display an acceptable current photo ID.

The voter must show one of the forms of acceptable identification and sign the poll book to obtain a ballot. The photo ID must be unexpired:

• Identification issued by the state of Missouri, an agency of the state, or a local election authority of the state;
• Identification issued by the United States government or agency thereof;

If you do not possess any of these forms of identification, but are a registered voter, you may cast a provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot will count if: (1) you return to your polling place on Election Day with a photo ID; or (2) the signature on your provisional ballot envelope is determined by your local election authority to match the signature on your voter registration record.

If you cast a provisional ballot, you will receive a stub from your provisional ballot envelope with instructions on how to verify that your provisional ballot is counted.

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. Note: Missouri distinguishes between “absentee” ballots (which require an excuse and can be dropped off in person) and “mail-in” ballots (which do not require an excuse but must be mailed back). All mail-in ballots must be notarized, and the notary service must be provided for free.

No excuse absentee voting in person at the local election authority starts two weeks prior to the election.  When voting an absentee ballot in person, you must show an acceptable form of photo ID. In person absentee voters are not eligible for a provisional ballot. Otherwise,

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 on election day, including a person who is primary responsible for the physical care of a person who is incapacitated or confined due to illness or disability and resides at the same address; 
3. Employment as an election authority or by an election authority at a location other than such voter’s polling place, a first responder, a health care worker, or a member of law enforcement;
4. Incarceration, provided all qualifications for voting are retained.
5. 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, by mail, by fax or by e-mail. 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. 

Mail in or faxed absentee ballot requests must be received by the election authority no later than the 5:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday prior to any election. Voters can vote by absentee in the office of the local election authority until 5:00 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 identification unless they provided a copy with their registration application. 

Absentee ballot deadline

Mail-in Voting

You’re eligible to vote by mail-in if you are a registered voter. The mail-in process:

Fill out mail-in ballot application.
Deliver to election authority by mail or in-person.
Receive and fill out mail-in ballot. Have envelope notarized.
Return to election authority through U.S. mail in time for its receipt by Election Day at 7 p.m.

Things to know:

Request a mail-in ballot from your local election authority.
Mail-in ballots may be requested in person.
Unlike absentee ballots, mail-in ballots MUST BE mailed back through U.S. mail.

Mail-in ballots must be returned by mail in the provided envelope, with the statement on the envelope signed and witnessed by a notary. In order to be counted, mail-in ballots must be received by the election authority at or before the time fixed by law for the closing of the polls on Election Day (7:00 p.m.).

Military and overseas voters

Who is eligible?

• Missouri voters that are part of the United States Uniformed Services, National Guard, Federal Service, their spouse or dependent; any active military member, whether stationed in the United States or overseas can use the Military and Overseas Voting Access Portal.
• Missouri voter currently overseas

Registering to vote

If you are not registered to vote and are in the military or currently overseas, you can register and request your absentee ballot at the same time by:

• Accessing the Military and Overseas Voting Access Portal
• Registering to vote through Missouri’s secure website, or
• Completing a Federal Post Card Application and mail it to your local election authority

Missed the registration deadline?

Even if you miss the registration deadline, state and federal law allow active members of the armed forces and their dependents to vote for federal offices only. You can access a ballot at the Military and Overseas Voting Access Portal or fill out the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) and mail it to your local election authority. 

Requesting a ballot

Absentee ballots are available 46 days before an election. Relatives within the second degree may complete an absentee ballot application, in person at the office of your local election authority, for the eligible voter wishing to vote absentee. You can request your absentee ballot by:

• Accessing the Military and Overseas Voting Access Portal, or
• Completing a Federal Post Card Application and mailing it to your local election authority

Returning your ballot

You can view your absentee ballot through Missouri’s Military and Overseas Voting Access Portal. Voters using the Federal Post Card Application mark their method of receiving their ballot on the application.  You can return your ballot by:

• MAIL - Most voters are required to return their ballot and accompanying absentee affidavit by mail; postage is not required if you are mailing your ballot from an APO/FPO mail facility, U.S. embassy or consulate, or U.S. post office. You must use the prepaid return envelope template to receive free postage.
• MAIL, FAX, EMAIL or through the Military and Overseas Voting Access Portal (beginning with the November 2014 General Election) - If you are serving in a hostile zone such as Iraq, Afghanistan, or Kosovo, you may return your voted ballot and accompanying absentee affidavit using one of these methods.

Military and Overseas Absentee ballots must be received by your local election authority no later than 12:00 p.m. Central Times on the Friday following the election.

Polling places and hours

Polling location information is provided and updated by local election authorities. It is recommended you confirm your polling place with your county clerk or board of election. Contact information for your local election authority.

Polling places open at 6:00 a.m. and remain open until 7:00 p.m. Those individuals arriving after the polling place has closed will not be allowed to vote. However, those individuals in line at 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

Rides to the polls

Many organizations offer free rides to polling places.

Help for voters with disabilities

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. You can find your local election authority here or by calling (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.

Ballots

Sample ballots

You may be able to view your sample ballot at the Secretary of State’s Voter Information Lookup

Sample ballots can also be viewed at the polling place or at the office of your local election authority. Sample ballots are also required to be printed twice prior to each election in newspapers of general circulation. Some election jurisdictions may also mail sample ballots to all registered voters in that jurisdiction.

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

Election Security

Who are the candidates, and what else is on the ballot?

You may view statewide ballot measures online

You may view federal/state candidates online

Important Dates

2024 Election Calendar

Who conducts elections?

The Elections Division of the Office of the Secretary of State (SOS) is responsible for administering all statewide elections, circulating initiative petitions, and making known the rules governing elections and electronic voting systems.

Voter Bill of Rights
 

For potential violations of the Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, please use the HAVA Complaint Form. Mail this completed and notarized form to: Elections Integrity, 600 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO, 65102

or contact the U.S. Justice Department at (800) 253-3931 or by email: Voting.Section@usdoj.gov

Where to go with complaints about candidates or how elections are conducted

Any person may file a complaint with the Missouri Secretary of State Elections Division.

The Secretary of State’s Elections Integrity Unit will evaluate each complaint received and all complaints will receive a written response.

Missouri Elections Law is contained in Chapter 115 of the Missouri Revised Statutes.

For potential violations of the Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, please use the HAVA Complaint Form. Mail this completed and notarized form to:

Elections Integrity, 600 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO, 65102.

Campaign finance

The Missouri Ethics Commission makes transparency and public information a priority in their operations. The Commission’s website provides detailed financial information about campaign expenditures and contributions and includes many publications, brochures, and web tutorials explaining Missouri’s ethics laws, requirements and regulations.

How to contact your elected officials:

Find your elected officials

Guide to Missouri government