1. What are the qualifications to be a voter?
In order to register to vote, an individual must be:
- A citizen of the United States;
- A resident of the State of Missouri; and
- 17 years and 6 months of age (must be 18 by Election Day).
If an individual meets these requirements, they are entitled to register to vote. To be entitled to vote, a person:
- Must be registered to vote in the jurisdiction of the person's domicile prior to the election;
- Cannot be imprisoned;
- Cannot be on probation or parole after conviction of a felony;
- Cannot have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor connected to voting; and
- Cannot have been declared incapacitated.
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2. I was convicted of a felony, and have completed my probation and parole. Can I vote?
Yes. Upon completion of your sentence and probation or parole, you are eligible to vote in elections. Individuals who have been convicted of an election offense, whether a felony or misdemeanor, are not allowed to vote.
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3. Can I vote without a photo ID?
If you do not have a photo ID, but are a registered voter, you may cast a provisional ballot. Click here to see your options
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4. I will be out of town on Election Day. How will I vote?
If you are going to be unable to vote on Election Day due to:
- Absence from the jurisdiction of the election authority in which you are registered to vote,
- Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability on election day, including a person who is primary responsible for the physical care of a person who is incapacitated or confined due to illness or disability and resides at the same address;
- Religious belief or practice,
- Employment as an election authority or by an election authority at a location other than your polling place, a first responder, a health care worker, or a member of law enforcement;
- Incarceration, provided all qualifications for voting are retained, then you are eligible to vote by absentee ballot, and
- Certified participation in the address confidentiality program established under sections 589.660 to 589.681 because of safety concerns.
The absentee voting period begins on the sixth Tuesday before the date of the election. All requests for an absentee ballot should be submitted by the day before the election if voting in person, or by 5:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday before the election if requesting a ballot by mail. The election authority must receive all absentee ballots by the close of polls on Election Day in order to be counted.
You can apply for an absentee ballot in person, by mail, by fax, or a guardian or close relative (parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, grandparents, as well as these relationships through marriage) may request in person an absentee ballot for you. Each application should be made to the election authority of the jurisdiction in which you are registered.
The application needs to be in writing and needs to give the following information:
- name;
- voter registration address;
- reason for voting absentee; and
- the address to which the ballot is to be mailed, if requested; and
- which party's ballot is requested, if a primary election.
For more details or to answer specific questions on absentee voting contact your local election authority or contact the Secretary of State's Election Division at (800) NOW-VOTE or [email protected].
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5. I need help when I vote. What are my options?
No Excuse with ID
During the two weeks prior to the election, you may vote a no-excuse absentee ballot in person at a location designated by your local election authority.
Curbside Voting
If you have limited mobility you may be able to vote "curbside" or outside the polling place. You should go to your polling place and ask someone to go in and ask poll workers to bring a ballot out to you. The poll workers should bring you a ballot within a reasonable period of time.
Accessible Voting Systems
Every polling place must have an accessible voting system for individuals with disabilities including audiovisual accessibility. Accessible systems include an audio ballot to make selections or the ability to enlarge text so that you can read the on-screen ballot with ease.
Permanent Absentee Voting
If you have a permanent physical disability you may request to be placed on a designated list so that your local election authority can automatically mail an absentee ballot application directly to you prior to each election. You will need to make this request directly your local election authority who will send you further information.
Personal Assistance
If you cannot read or write, are blind or have another physical disability and cannot vote your ballot, you may choose to bring in a person to help you vote. Your assistant does not have to be over the age of 18 or have to be a registered voter. Additionally, a bipartisan team of poll workers can assist you upon request.
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