THE BASICS

·  Missouri permits online voter registration. 

·  The state does not, however, permit early voting or no-excuse absentee voting. 

·  Missouri voters are required to provide non-photo identification in order to receive a ballot.

Voter registration

To vote in Missouri, one must be 18 years old, a United States citizen, and Missouri resident.^[2] An applicant may print an application, pick one up from a county clerk’s office, or request that an application be mailed. The completed application must be returned by mail. All returned applications must be postmarked at least 27 days prior to Election Day in order to be processed. An applicant may also register to vote online.^[2]

Automatic registration

Missouri does not practice automatic voter registration.

Online registration

Missouri has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

Missouri does not allow same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

To register to vote in Missouri, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

Verification of citizenship

Missouri requires those registering to vote by mail for the first time to provide a form of identification that shows proof of United States citizenship.^[3]

Verifying your registration

The Missouri Secretary of State’s office allows residents to check their voter registration status online

Voter identification

Missouri requires voters to present identification while voting. Identification with or without a photo can be used.^[4]

The following were accepted forms of identification as of October 2019. Click here for the Missouri Secretary of State’s page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

Voters can present the following forms of information:

• Nonexpired Missouri driver’s license
• Nonexpired or non-expiring Missouri non-driver license
• Nonexpired document which contains the voter’s name, the voter’s photograph, and is issued by the United States or the state of Missouri
• Nonexpired or non-expiring military ID card with a photograph
• Identification issued by the state of Missouri, an agency of the state, or a local election authority of the state
• Identification issued by the United States government or agency thereof
• Identification issued by an institution of higher education, including a university, college, vocational and technical school, located within the state of Missouri
• Copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document that contains the name and address of the voter

If a voter does not have an ID, he or she can obtain one for free by filling out this form. 

Poll times

In Missouri, all polling places are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.^[10]

Primary election type

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party’s candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Missouri utilizes an open primary system, in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party’s primary.^{[11][12][13][14]}

Absentee voting

A voter is eligible to vote absentee in an election if he or she cannot make it to the polls on Election Day for one of the following reasons:

• The voter will be absent from his or her regular polling place on Election Day.
• The voter is incapacitated or confined due to illness or physical disability. Additionally, an individual who is caring for an incapacitated person may vote absentee.
• The voter is unable to visit the polls for religious reasons.
• The voter is employed by an election authority.
• The voter incarcerated but has retained voting qualifications.
• The voter is unable to visit the polls because of safety concerns.

To vote absentee, an application must be received by 5 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the election. If returned in person, the ballot must be submitted by 5 p.m. the day before the election. If submitted by mail, the ballot must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.^[15]

Early voting

Missouri does not permit early voting.

As of April 2021, 38 states and the District of Columbia permitted early voting. Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on election day. States that do not permit early voting still permit some or all citizens to vote early by mail—often known as absentee voting. Some states allow no-excuse absentee voting, while others require an excuse. States that allow in-person absentee voting without an excuse are counted among early voting states. Click here for early voting laws by state.^[16] In-person absentee voting is permitted. See here for more information about absentee voting requirements.

Convicted felons’ voting rights

In Missouri, individuals convicted of a felony receive automatic restoration of their voting rights upon completion of their sentence, including probation or parole, unless the felony–or misdemeanor–pertains to election-related offenses. Those who have committed an election-related felony or misdemeanor are not allowed to vote.

Voting rights for convicted felons vary from state to state. In the majority of states, convicted felons cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.