Missouri Absentee Voter Guide

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

Mail-in Deadlines

General Election: Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Voter Registration

To register to vote in Missouri you must:

• be a citizen of the United States
• be a resident of Missouri
• be at least 17-1/2 years of age (you must be 18 to vote)
• not be on probation or parole after conviction of a felony, until finally discharged from such probation or parole
• not be convicted of a felony or misdemeanor connected with the right of suffrage
• not be adjudged incapacitated by any court of law
• not be confined under a sentence of imprisonment

How to 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 download and fill out Missouri's voter registration form.  Mail the completed form to your County Clerk.

ID requirements for first-time voters:

If you are a first-time Missouri voter and you register to vote by mail, then you must submit a copy of your ID with your voter registration form.  If you don't, you'll need to provide ID the first time you vote in person or by absentee ballot. 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; 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;

Voter registration verification:

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.

Absentee Voting

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

How to apply for an 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.  

ID requirements for absentee voters:

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;

Absentee ballot instructions:

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!  

State Contact Information