Voting Center

How to Register to Vote

Registration Qualifications

• 18 Years of age by Election Day
• US Citizen
• Missouri Resident

No person shall be entitled to vote:

• While confined under a sentence of imprisonment;
• While on probation or parole after the conviction of a felony
• After conviction of a felony or misdemeanor connected with voting or the right of suffrage

Where to Register to Vote

Missourians can register to vote:

• By filling out the Missouri Voter Registration Application

• At the office of the local election authority – Local Election Authority Contact Information

• At any Department of Motor Vehicles office, or state agency providing a service to the public (WIC, Social Services, etc)

Deadline to Register to Vote

In order to vote in the November 6, 2012 general election, voters must register by October 12, 2012.

How to Request a Vote by Mail Ballot

Registered Missourians who will not be able to go to their polling place on Election Day may vote absentee beginning six weeks prior to an election.

Voters can request absentee ballots from their local election authority in person or by fax. Contact information for local election authorities and an absentee ballot application form may be found at the links below:

Local Election Authority Contact Information
Request for Missouri Absentee Ballot Form

Deadline to Request a Vote by Mail Ballot

Mail in or faxed absentee ballot requests must be received by the election authority no later than the 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to any election.

Deadline to Send Back Your Vote By Mail Ballot

Voters can vote by absentee in the office of the local election authority until 5:00 p.m. the night before the election.

Early Voting Availability

Absentee voters must provide one of the following reasons for voting absentee:

1. Absence on Election Day from the jurisdiction of the election authority in which such voter is registered to vote;

2. 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;

3. Religious belief or practice;

4. 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;

5. Incarceration, provided all qualifications for voting are retained.

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:

1. Identification issued by the state of Missouri, an agency of the state, or a local election authority of the state; 

2. Identification issued by the United States government or agency thereof;

3. Identification issued by an institution of higher education, including a university, college, vocational and technical school, located within the state of Missouri;  

4. 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;

5. Driver’s license or state identification card issued by another state; or

6. Other identification approved by the secretary of state under rules promulgated pursuant to subsection 3 of this section other identification approved by federal law. 

This 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.

Source: Missouri Secretary of State's Website