Missouri: Election Tools, Deadlines, Dates, Rules, and Links

Missouri absentee ballots

• Absentee ballot application deadlines

  • In Person: Received 1 day before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Received 13 days before Election Day.
  • Online: N/A

• Voted absentee ballots are due

  Received Election Day by closing of the polls (7pm).

• 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 primarily responsible for caring for a person who is incapacitated or confined due to illness or disability
  • you are restricted by religious belief or practice
  • you are employed as or by an Election Day authority at a location other than your polling place
  • you are incarcerated, but have retained all your voting qualifications
  • you are a program participant in the Department of State's Address Confidentiality Program
  • For an election that occurs during the year 2020, you have contracted or are in an at-risk category for contracting or transmitting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19).

  At-risk voters are individuals who:

  • Are 65 years of age or older
  • Have serious heart conditions
  • Are immunocompromised
  • Have liver disease
  • Live in a long term care facility licensed under Chapter 188, RSMo.
  • Have chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
  • Have chronic kidney disease and are undergoing dialysis
  • Have diabetes

  You also have the option of requesting a mail-in ballot, please visit https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/howtovote for more details. 

• 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. Your Local Election Official will also let you fax or email the application.
  5. Double-check the deadlines and be sure to cast your voted ballot on time to be sure it is counted.
  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 notary sign where indicated.
  • Mail your voted ballot back to the address indicated on the return envelope.
  • Double-check the deadlines and be sure to cast your voted ballot on time to be sure it is counted.