Voting in Missouri

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Missouri has two types of mail voting: absentee voting, and vote-by-mail. Absentee voting requires an approved excuse, and you can return your ballot by mail or in person. Missouri voters who have contracted COVID-19, who are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19, or who are otherwise confined or incapacitated by illness are eligible to vote absentee in any election in 2020 without having their absentee ballot notarized, but other voters eligible to vote absentee or by mail must have their ballot notarized before returning it. All registered voters are eligible to vote by mail without an excuse. All vote-by-mail ballots must be notarized and returned by mail, not in person.

To request an absentee ballot in Missouri, complete the absentee ballot application and return it to your local election authority in person, by mail, by fax, or by email. 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. The application must include your original, non-digital signature; if submitting the application via email or fax, a scanned version of the signature is sufficient.

To request a vote-by-mail ballot in Missouri, complete the mail ballot application and return it to your local election authority in person or by mail. The application must include your original, non-digital signature; if submitting the application via email or fax, a scanned version of the signature is sufficient.

To return your Missouri absentee ballot, mail it back or return it in person to your local election authority. If returning your absentee ballot in person, the deadline is 5pm on the day before Election Day. Missouri vote-by-mail ballots must be returned by U.S. mail only in the provided envelope. Missouri voters who have contracted COVID-19, who are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19, or who are otherwise confined or incapacitated by illness are eligible to vote absentee in any election in 2020 without having their absentee ballot notarized, but other voters eligible to vote absentee or by mail must have their ballot notarized before returning it.

Missouri offers in-person absentee voting. Voters can only vote early with an approved excuse. Absentee-in-person voting begins 6 weeks before Election Day and ends at 5pm the day before the election.

Missouri has open primaries. Any registered voter can participate in primary elections, regardless of political party. 17-year-olds cannot vote in the primary election even if they will be 18 by the corresponding general election.

ID is required to vote in Missouri. Valid forms of ID include:

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;
- Identification issued by an institution of higher education, including a university, college, vocational and technical school, located within the state of Missouri; or
- A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document that contains the name and address of the voter

If you do not have an approved form of ID, you can send a form to the Secretary of State’s office and they will assist you in obtaining one. If you go to your polling place without an approved form of ID, you may still cast a provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot will be counted if you return to the polling place and show an Option 1 ID or if the signature on the provisional ballot envelope matches the signature on your voter registration record.