Voting Information for College Students
OUT-OF-STATE Students: If you are attending a Missouri college or university as an out-of-state student, the League recommends you maintain your current voter registration in your home state and vote in compliance with that state's regulations.
If you reside in Missouri and attend college away from home, you can still vote. Here are the answers to questions you may have.
Where should I register to vote if I'm attending college away from home?
Missouri college or university students who are residents of Missouri but are attending school away from home have two options.
One option is to register to vote where you are going to school. Simply contact the Local Election Authority - the election board or the county clerk - to learn what you need to do. If you are going to college in the Kansas City area, use the links above.
You also have the option of maintaining your voter registration in your home town and voting within that Local Election Authority.
Where will I vote?
You will vote in the election jurisdiction where you registered. If you decide to register with the Local Election Authority where you are attending school, you will vote at your assigned polling location in that locality. If you are registered to vote in your home town and will not be there on Election Day, you may vote absentee. Missouri allows absentee voting for individuals who will be absent from their voting jurisdiction on Election Day.
How do I vote absentee? (Remember this takes planning on your part.)
In-person absentee voting - College students who are registered to vote in Missouri and who are attending school outside their Local Election Authority may vote absentee in-person during the six weeks prior to the election if they will be absent from their voting jurisdiction on Election Day.
Travel to your voting jurisdiction during the six-week absentee voting period.
Find a polling location designated by your Local Election Authority.
Bring an acceptable form of photo ID. Visit the How to Vote page for photo ID requirements.
Please note - As of August 28, 2022, Missouri voters may cast an in-person, absentee ballot without providing an excuse during the two weeks prior to an election. Make sure you bring an acceptable form of photo-ID because provisional ballots will not be available during the two-week, no-excuse absentee voting period.
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 - Due to the newly enacted voting legislation, HB1878, which went into effect on August 28, 2022, we are barred from sharing information, including linking to the Secretary of State website, about how to vote absentee by mail.
How do I decide where to register to vote?
Many college students care about what’s going on in their home town as well as their college community. But voters only get one vote. So consider the issues and races that are important to you and where you want your vote to count.
How do I check to see if I’m registered to vote?
If you’re not sure where you’re registered to vote, click here and enter the requested information.
What should I do if I still have questions?
The Local Election Authority is your best resource if you have questions.