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

Missouri absentee ballots

• Absentee ballot application deadlines

  • In Person: Received by 5pm on the day before Election Day.
  • By Mail: Received by 5pm on the second Wednesday prior to Election Day.
  • Online: N/A

• Voted absentee ballots are due

  Received by the close of polls on Election Day.

• Absentee ballot rules

  No excuse is required to vote in-person by absentee ballot beginning the second Tuesday before Election Day.

  Before that date, 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 on Election Day, or primarily responsible for caring for a person who resides at the same address 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 employed as a first responder.
  • You are employed as a health care worker.
  • You are employed as a member of law enforcement.
  • You are incarcerated but have retained all your voting qualifications.
  • You are a program participant in the Department of State's Address Confidentiality Program.

  
  

• 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

  1. Once you receive the ballot, carefully read and follow the instructions.
  2. Sign and date where indicated.
  3. Place the ballot in the ballot envelope, seal the envelope and fill out the statement on the ballot envelope. 
  4. If returning the ballot by mail, have a notary sign where indicated and mail your voted ballot back to the address indicated on the return envelope.
  5. If returning the ballot in person, sign the affidavit in front of the election official who is receiving your ballot.
  6. Double-check the deadlines and be sure to cast your voted ballot on time to be sure it is counted.