Voting in Missouri

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Voters can only vote absentee/by mail in Missouri with an approved excuse. Approved excuses include:
- Absence on Election Day from the jurisdiction of the election authority in which such voter is registered to vote;
- Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability, including a person who is primarily responsible for the physical care of a person who is incapacitated or confined due to illness or disability;
- Religious belief or practice;
- Employment as an election authority, as a member of an election authority, or by an election authority at a location other than such voter's polling place;
- Incarceration, provided all qualifications for voting are retained.
- Certified participation in the address confidentiality program established under sections 589.660 to 589.681 because of safety concerns.

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. Examples of acceptable identification are:
- 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;
- A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that contains the name and address of the voter; or
- Other identification approved by the secretary of state under rules promulgated pursuant to Missouri law.

Absentee ballots must be notarized (see exceptions below) and can be returned by mail or in person.

The identification requirement, as well as the notary requirement for absentee ballots, does not apply to overseas voters, those on active military duty or members of their immediate family living with them or voters who are permanently disabled and their caregivers.

Missouri offers in-person absentee voting. The deadline for absentee voting in person in the office of the election authority is 5pm on the day before the election. Voters can only vote early with an approved excuse:
- Absence on Election Day from the jurisdiction of the election authority in which such voter is registered to vote;
- Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability, including a person who is primarily responsible for the physical care of a person who is incapacitated or confined due to illness or disability;
- Religious belief or practice;
- Employment as an election authority, as a member of an election authority, or by an election authority at a location other than such voter's polling place;
- Incarceration, provided all qualifications for voting are retained.
- Certified participation in the address confidentiality program established under sections 589.660 to 589.681 because of safety concerns.

If you registered by mail and this is your first time voting, you must provide a copy of either: (1) an ID issued by the Federal Government, state of Missouri, or a local election authority; (2) ID issued by a Missouri institution (public or private) of higher education; or (3) a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document that contains your name and address.

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.

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

Even though you do not need a Photo ID to vote, you might be eligible for a free Missouri nondriver license for voting purposes. You can send a form to the Secretary of State’s office and they will assist you in obtaining one.