Absentee Ballot Requests and Information

County Clerk’s Office

Absentee ballots may be cast in person or by mail beginning 6 weeks prior to the election date, for anyone that will be out of the county on the day of the election, due to a religious belief or practice, employment as an election authority at a location other than your polling place, if you are a first responder, a health care worker, or a member of law enforcement, or if unable to make it to their polling place due to illness or disability. Also, full-time caretakers for those ill or disabled may also be eligible. The deadline for absentee voting in person in the office of the County Clerk is 5 p.m. on the day before the election.

No-excuse Absentee Voting

Any voter may cast an absentee ballot in-person beginning the 2nd Tuesday prior to Election Day.  No excuse or reason is required.  Voters must present a valid government-issued photo ID.

By Mail

Requested Absentee Ballots can be mailed starting 6 weeks prior to the election. They include a postage-paid envelope to return them to the election authority. They must be returned by 7 p.m. on the actual Election Day. Absentee ballots may also be hand carried into the County Clerk’s Office by the voter, or a relative within the second degree. (parent, spouse, child, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law). Missouri Law requires that requests for absentee ballots be received by 5 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday prior to Election Day if the ballot is to be mailed (RSMo 115.279 (3)

Absentee ballots requested by persons unable to vote at their polling place on election day are required to be notarized. Absentee ballots requested by persons being prevented to vote at the polls due to illness or disability are not required to be notarized. If you are a voter with a chronic illness or disability (or their caretaker) you may also be eligible to be placed on our permanent absentee voter list. Please call the Clerk’s office at 271-1412 for more information.

Absentee Ballot Requests

Download the Absentee Ballot Request Form. Mail the form to the Buchanan County Clerk’s Office Attn: Connie Grosdidier, 411 Jules Street Room 121, St. Joseph, MO 64501. You can also scan, Email, or return this completed form in person to the County Clerk’s Office / Election Authority.

 ***If you registered to vote online or through the mail, and this will be 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 or address.  We will not be able to mail you an absentee ballot until this requirement has been met.*** 

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Missouri Law requires that requests for absentee ballots be received by 5 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday prior to Election Day if the ballot is to be mailed (RSMo 115.279 (3). The deadline for absentee voting in person in the office of the County Clerk is 5 p.m. on the day before the election.