Missouri Election Center

Missouri absentee ballots

• Absentee ballot application deadlines

  • In Person: 1 day before Election Day
  • By Mail: 13 days before Election Day
  • Online:

• Voted absentee ballots are due

  Election Day.

• Absentee ballot rules

  You can vote by absentee ballot in Missouri if:

  • you will be absent from your voting jurisdiction on Election Day
  • you are incapacitated or confined due to illness or physical disability, or caring for an incapacitated person
  • you are restricted by religious belief or practice
  • you are employed by Election Day authority
  • you are incarcerated, but have retained all your voting qualifications

• How to get an absentee ballot in Missouri

  1. Use our Absentee Ballot Tool to prepare your application.
  2. Sign and date the form. This is very important!
  3. Return your completed application to your Local Election Office as soon as possible. We'll provide the mailing address for you.
  4. All Local Election Offices will accept mailed or hand-delivered forms. If it's close to the deadline, call and see if your Local Election Office will let you fax or email the application.
  5. Make sure your application is received by the deadline. Your application must actually arrive by this time -- simply being postmarked by the deadline is insufficient.
  6. Please contact your Local Election Office if you have any further questions about the exact process.

• Once you get your absentee ballot in Missouri

  • Once you receive the ballot, carefully read and follow the instructions.
  • Sign and date where indicated.
  • Have a witness or notary sign where indicated.
  • Mail your voted ballot back to the address indicated on the return envelope.
  • Your voted ballot must arrive by the deadline or it will not be counted.