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New voter identification requirements and absentee voting options are now in effect. Make sure you have approved photo ID before you vote.  

How to vote in Missouri


Make sure you have a plan for how you will vote in the next election.

There are four  ways to vote in Missouri: 

✔ In-person voting on Election Day;

✔ Early voting (in-person, no excuse absentee voting);

✔ In-person absentee voting;

✔ Absentee voting by mail.

✔ Options for voters with disabilities or mobility issues

  

In person voting on Election Day 


To find your poling location, visit the Missouri Voter Outreach Center.  Polls are open from 6am until 7pm.  Voters in line at 7pm will be allowed to vote. 

Photo-ID Requirements


Upon entering the polling location, voters must present one of the following forms of identification.  A photo ID is required to vote.
  • Non-expired driver's license or non-driver's license issued by the state of Missouri*;
  • Non-expired U. S. Military or military veteran's ID;
  • Non-expired U.S. passport;
  • 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 the driver or non-driver's license has expired after the most recent general election, it is an acceptable form of identification.


If you do not have any of these forms of identification, but you are a registered voter and voting in person on Election Day, you can still vote by using a provisional ballot. (Provisional  ballots will NOT be available for in-person, absentee voting.)
  • Request and complete the provisional ballot.  To ensure your vote is counted, do the following.
  1. Fill out the provisional ballot and ballot envelope COMPLETELY. 
  2. Make sure two (2) Election Judges - one Democrat and one Republican - sign your ballot.
  3. Sign your name.
  • Your vote will count if you return to your polling location on Election Day with an approved photo ID OR the signature on your provisional ballot envelope is determined by your Local Election Authority to match the signature on your voter registration record.

    •
  • Keep the stub from your provisional ballot envelope.  Follow the instructions on the stub to verify your vote was counted.
 

 Voters may complete their ballot using a pencil or an electronic ballot marker.   The voter then feeds their completed paper ballot into the ballot box.
  

Early voting (in person, no excuse absentee voting) 


Missouri voters may cast an in-person, absentee ballot without providing an excuse during the two weeks prior to Election Day.
In-person absentee voting (six weeks prior to Election Day)

Missouri voters who are not able to vote absentee during the two-week, no excuse period may still vote absentee throughout the six weeks prior to election day under the following circumstances.   

 

  • Absence from your voting jurisdiction on Election Day;
  • Incapacitation or confinement due to illness or physical disability, or caring for an incapacitated person;
  • Religious belief or practice;
  • Employment by an election authority, a first responder, a health care worker, or a member of law enforcement;
  • Incarceration if voting qualifications are retained;
  • Participation in the Missouri SAFE at home program.

 

Voters may go to their local election authority and cast their ballot starting six weeks before Election Day.  Bring approved VOTER ID for identification.  (Provisional ballots will not be available during the absentee voting period.) You will be asked to provide the reason you are unable to vote on Election Day if you are voting before the two week, no-excuse voting period. In-person absentee voting ends at 5pm the day before Election Day. 

If you need information on how to cast an in-person absentee ballot in your local election jurisdiction, click here  to access the Secretary of State's website to get contact information for your local election authority.  

Absentee voting by mail  

If you will be away from where you are registered to vote on Election Day, you can also request an absentee ballot by mail. 

✔ Request an absentee ballot from your local election authority (up to 10 weeks before the election and no later than the second Wednesday prior to the election). The election authority will begin mailing ballots to voters six weeks prior to any election.

✔ Complete your ballot.

✔ Sign and notarize* your ballot when you meet with the Notary Public. 

✔ Mail your ballot. (Ballots must be received by the election board no later than 7pm on Election Day. Ballots received after the deadline will not be counted.)

* Your absentee ballot must be notarized. 

Where: Kansas City Public Library and Mid-Continent Public Library have free notary services at all locations.

Make an appointment: Ask about accepted forms of ID. State driver's and non-driver's license, U.S. Passport, and military ID are accepted at Kansas City and Mid-Continent libraries. 

Documentation: 

➡ Do not sign or date the ballot before meeting with the Notary Public.

➡ Bring the entire ballot, not just the signature page.
Accessible voting - curbside

Options for voters with disabilities or limited mobility


The following are available for persons with limited mobility or physical or sensory disabilities.


Curbside Voting:  If you are unable to enter a polling location because of limited mobility, upon arrival at your polling location, you may request that an election judge bring a ballot to you.  

Accessible Polling Places: If you have a physical disability and your assigned polling location is not accessible to you, you may request an alternate polling location from your local election authority. 

Accessible Voting Systems:  Every polling location must have accessible voting systems available for people with sensory disabilities.  

Permanent Absentee Voting:  If you have a permanent disability, you may request an absentee ballot be mailed to you directly for each election.  You can return your completed ballot by mail.  You do not need to have your completed ballot notarized. 

For more information on Accessible Voting options, visit the Secretary of State's website.

Questions?


If you have any questions about voting, contact your Local Election Authority.  

Kansas City Election Board


Cass County Election Authority

Clay County Board of Election Commissioners

Jackson County Election Board

Platte County Board of Elections