Missouri Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should visit the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Important Deadlines

• Voter Registration: Received at least 28 days before the election
• Absentee Ballot Application: Received by 5pm on the Wednesday before the election
• Voted Absentee Ballot: Received by close of polls Election Day

How to vote by absentee ballot

Register to vote

Recommended: Use our Voter Registration Widget.  Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form.  

You can also fill out the Missouri Voter Registration Form online at the Secretary of State website.  Print and sign your completed form and mail it to the address provided.

Verify your voter registration

You should receive written confirmation that your voter registration was processed in 2-3 weeks.  Don't panic if you never receive your voter registration card: you don't actually need it to vote.  If you not sure if your registration was processed - or if you simply can't remember if you're register to vote - you can use the voter registration verification tools here.

Make sure you're eligible to vote by absentee ballot

You can vote by absentee ballot if you: 

• Will be absent from your voting jurisdiction on election day
• Are incapacitated or confined due to illness or physical disability, or caring for an incapacitated person
• Are restricted by religious belief or practice
• Are employed by an election authority
• Are incarcerated, but have retained all your voting qualifications

Apply for your absentee ballot

Download and complete the Missouri Absentee Ballot Application.  If you want the ballot mailed to you, be sure to include your mailing address in the space provided.  If you're away at college, temporarily outside the county, or physically disabled, a relative can use the same form to request the ballot for you.

Mail, fax, or hand-deliver your completed application to your County Clerk.  Once they process it, they'll mail your ballot to you.  Do not send absentee ballot applications to the Secretary of State's office. 

Receive, complete, and return your absentee ballot

Fill out your ballot, sign where indicated, and have your ballot signed by a witness or notary.  Mail your completed ballot back to your County Clerk.  Be sure to meet the deadline or your ballot won't be counted!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need to provide ID when I apply for my absentee ballot?

You do not need to provide ID if you've already voted in Missouri at least once.  If you are a first time voter and you did not submit a copy of your ID with your voter registration form, then you must submit ID with your absentee ballot application.  Acceptable forms of ID include: 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; Driver’s license or state identification card issued by another state; or other identification approved by federal law; Identification issued by an institution of higher education, including a university, college, vocational and technical school, located within the state of Missouri; or 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.

I won't be able to go to the polls on election day but don't want to vote by mail.  Can I vote in person before the election?

No, Missouri does not allow in-person early voting.

Additional Information