Your Voting Options Before Election Day
If you expect to have one of the reasons below for voting absentee, you can vote absentee IN PERSON or BY MAIL before Election Day. If you want to vote absentee BY MAIL, you must apply in advance here. If you want to vote absentee IN PERSON, you will just state your reason for voting absentee at the time you vote.
Your Voting Options On
Election Day
Polling places are open from 6am to 7pm on Election Day in Missouri. If you are in St. Louis County, You can vote at ANY County polling place thanks to their print-on-demand paper ballot technology. In St. Louis City and all other counties, check your election notification card for your polling place information and/or options.
Know Your Options
Reasons for Voting Absentee
You can vote absentee before Election Day if you expect to have ONE of the following reasons:
-
Absence on Election Day from the jurisdiction of the election authority in which such voter is registered to vote (if voting absentee by mail, your signature on ballot return envelope must be NOTARIZED);
-
Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability, including a caregiver who is primarily responsible for the physical care of a person who is incapacitated or confined due to illness or disability (NO NOTARY REQUIRED);
-
Religious belief or practice (ballot envelope signature must be NOTARIZED);
-
Employment as a first responder, healthcare worker, law enforcement, or as an an election worker (ballot envelope signature must be notarized)
-
Incarceration, provided all qualifications for voting are retained (NO NOTARY REQUIRED); or
-
Certified participation in the Safe At Home address confidentiality program established under sections 589.660 to 589.681 because of safety concerns.
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Voters who are PERMANENTLY DISABLED may also apply for permanent absentee by mail status by filling out the form below. This status means that voters will automatically get an APPLICATION for an absentee ballot
before every election, and
no notary is required on
the ballot return
envelope.
Permanent Absentee Status
Voting Absentee IN PERSON
Voting absentee in person
starts about six weeks before Election Day at your local election authority office (Election Board or County Clerk). Closer to Election Day, some jurisdictions may open satellite absentee voting locations. Bring ID. You don't have to apply beforehand - all you have to do is give your reason for voting absentee at the time you vote.
So easy!
Voting Absentee BY MAIL
Voters must apply to receive an absentee by mail ballot and can do so by email, fax, by mail, or in person.
Once you receive your ballot and fill it out, place your ballot in the return envelope provided by your election authority. It is important to complete the statement on the envelope, verify your address, and sign the ballot envelope, in front of a notary if required.
Your Absentee by Mail Ballot: Things to Know
Know the Notary Rules
Absentee ballots cast for a health- or disability-related reason DO NOT require voters to have the signature on the ballot return envelope notarized, but most other absentee ballots require a notarized signature. Need to find a notary? Check with your election authority office or local library. Banks and UPS stores also often have notaries on staff. Notary services for the signature on a ballot return envelope should be free.
Need help filling out your ballot? You can have someone help you with your ballot, but your helper MUST fill out the assistance statement on the ballot return envelope (along with assisting you in completing all the other required information on the return envelope) in order for the ballot to be counted.
You Have the
Right to
Assistance
Don't Mark It Out
Don't cover up or mark out your return address or any bar codes on the return envelope, as that information is needed to help verify your ballot. Don't worry--the ballot inside will still be private!
DEADLINE: Your ballot must be RECEIVED by the election authority by 7pm on Election Day. Late-arriving ballots will not be counted. Completed ballots may be returned to your election authority by mail or in person by the voter or a close relative. If you choose mail, mailing can take up to 7-10 days, so plan ahead!
RETURN IT ON TIME!
Ballot lost, damaged, or never received?
You can fill out a Lost Ballot Affidavit at your local election authority office or at your polling place on Election Day & cast a regular (not provisional) ballot.
Running late or changed your mind about voting absentee?
You can surrender your ballot and vote in person instead. Need more help? Call or text the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.