Missouri Voting Guide

How do I register to vote in Missouri?

• For students: You can choose to:

1.  Register and vote in the county where you have lived with your parents (if you consider that your permanent residence)
2.  Register and vote in the county where you are going to college if that is now your permanent address. 
3.  Register and vote by absentee ballot in the state where you previously lived, if you consider that your permanent residence
4.  Become a resident of the State of Missouri and vote in the county where your school is located. However you choose to register and vote, you can only do so in one state.

• For military and overseas voters: You can complete an application and request an absentee ballot by using the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP).
• For survivors of violence: Missouri participates in the Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program to protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, human trafficking, stalking, or other crimes. If you are enrolled, you can receive an alternate address and mail forwarding service. Learn more about enrolling in the program here.
• For homeless or impermanent voters: If you are homeless or do not have a traditional street address, you can still register to vote. You will need a mailing address where you can receive an address verification card. Once you have been verified, you will be registered and will receive a voter ID card. You can use the address of a homeless shelter or day center.
• For convicted felons: If you were convicted of a felony crime, your right to vote is temporarily suspended while you are incarcerated, on parole, or on probation. Once your term is complete, you are again eligible to vote. You will need to re-register.

Note: You are not automatically registered to vote simply by completing a voter registration application. The information you provided on your application must still be verified by election officials. You will be contacted when your voter registration application is approved, or if more information is needed.

Not sure if you are registered to vote? Find out whether you are registered here.

When is Missouri's voter registration deadline?

If you register by mail, your voter registration envelope must be postmarked no later than the fourth Wednesday before the election. If you register in person, you must register by the deadline for that particular election. See the Secretary of State's website for a calendar of election deadlines.

How do I request an absentee ballot in Missouri?

You must apply to vote by absentee ballot and you must provide a reason for wanting to do so. These are the allowable reasons for absentee voting:

• You are out of your jurisdiction and unable to get to your polling place
• You are unable to get to the polls due to caregiving
• You are unable to get to the polls due to incapacity, illness, or disability
• You are unable to get to the polls due to your religious beliefs or practices
• You are unable to get to the polls due to your employment as an election official
• You are unable to get to the polls because you are incarcerated but are still eligible to vote
• You are a participant in the address confidentiality program

To apply for an absentee ballot, you can request it in person or have someone pick it up for you at the office of your local election authority. Or you can download the Request for Missouri Absentee Ballot Form. Complete the form and return it in person, by fax, by mail, or by delivery to your local election authority.

If you are requesting an absentee ballot by mail and have registered by mail but never voted in person, you must submit a copy of your personal identification (unless you provided a copy with your voter registration application).

If you are a military member or are living overseas, use the FVAP website to request an absentee ballot.

What do I need to bring to the polls in Missouri?

If you are already a registered voter, you will be asked to show an ID. It can be any of the following:

• A nonexpired Missouri driver or non-driver license;
• A nonexpired military ID, including a veteran’s ID card;
• A nonexpired United States passport; or
• Another photo ID issued by the United States or the state of Missouri which is either not expired or expired after the date of the most recent general election

If you have no form of identification with you, you can vote using a provisional ballot. If your signature matches your signature on the voter registry your vote will be counted. Or you can come back to your polling place and show a photo ID/passport or military ID.

What special accommodations are available?

Every Missouri polling place has at least one handicapped-accessible voting machine with an audio ballot option and an on-screen ballot with the ability to enlarge text. If you cannot read or write, are visually impaired, or have difficulty marking a ballot, you can bring someone with you to help you vote. You can also as a poll worker for assistance.

If you have limited mobility and difficulty accessing the polling place, you can ask for a ballot to be brought to your car so you can vote “curbside." You can also request to receive an absentee ballot to vote by mail.

What do I do if I see something illegal at the polls?

If you believe you saw a violation of Missouri election law, you should first advise a poll worker (unless the poll worker was the one in violation). You can also file a complaint with the Missouri Secretary of State Elections Division using the Election Complaint Form.

Finally, voting law violations can be reported to the U.S. Department of Justice. Or you may choose to contact a local Missouri attorney experienced in voting law if you feel your voting rights have been violated.