Voting Guide

Voter Eligibility

In order to vote, citizens living in Missouri must register to vote. Any U.S. citizen 17 years and 6 months of age or older, if a Missouri resident, may register in the state. The following are the only exceptions:

• A person who is adjudged incapacitated
• A person who is confined under sentence of imprisonment
• A person who is on probation or parole after a conviction of a Felony until final discharge
• A person after conviction of a felony or misdemeanor connected with the right of suffrage (RSMo 115.133)

Register to Vote

Qualified citizens may register in person at the County Clerk’s Office, at any Public Library, by mail, online at the Missouri Secretary of State website, or at the Driver's License Bureau. You become registered by completing a form with identity and residence information and qualifications that are signed and sworn to, then witnessed by the election authority or designated deputy.

You must be 18 years of age by the day of a particular election to be eligible to vote in that election. Also, you must be registered by the 4th Wednesday preceding an election to be eligible to vote in that election.

After you have registered, you usually do not need to re-register even if you have not voted for the past few elections. If you have moved, changed your last name, or moved back into the county, you need to contact the office to make sure your registration is up to date.

Special Voting Provisions

Handicapped voters and any persons prevented from voting because of absence or illness may vote ABSENTEE. Persons with permanent illness may request a permanent absentee ballot application by completing an application available from the local election authority. (115.284, RSMo Supp. 1997) Curbside voting is permitted in Missouri, or voters may be transferred to more accessible precincts. Local election officials should be contacted about absentee federal service balloting or “new resident” ballots for residents who arrive after the registration deadline. (115.275, RSMo Supp. 1997)

Requesting an Absentee Application

Application for an Absentee ballot may be requested to be sent by mail or can be picked up at the County Clerk’s Office. It is also available from this website.

Missouri Law requires that requested applications for absentee ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday prior to the Election Day (RSMo 115.279 (3) if the ballot is to be mailed. Faxed applications are also accepted and may be sent to 816-271-1535. Relatives in the first degree of consanguinity (spouse, child, parent) may request and complete an application for absentee ballot as well.

Acceptable Forms of ID for Voting

Photo ID is now required to vote in the state of Missouri (RSMo 115.427). Forms of acceptable photo ID are:  

1. Nonexpired Missouri driver's license
2. Nonexpired Missouri nondriver license
3. U.S. Passport
4. Military ID

If you do not have a valid photo ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.  Your vote will count if you come back to your polling place on election day and show a valid ID, or if your signature matches the signature in the voter registry.