Missouri
1 Check ID Rules
Voting in Person
Missouri requests a photo ID to vote in person. Vote and sign a provisional ballot if you don’t have an accepted ID. Your ballot will count if the state verifies your signature.
Accepted IDs
Ok if expired after November 5, 2024.
You can show:
- Missouri driver’s license
- Missouri state ID card
- US passport or passport card
- Military identification issued by Missouri National Guard or US Armed Forces
- Identification issued by Veterans Affairs
- Other photo ID issued by Missouri or US Government
Voting by Mail
Absentee ballots in Missouri are only for some voters.
Reasons you can vote by absentee ballot include:
- Not being in your county on Election Day
- Physical disability or illness
Check the FAQ “Who can vote absentee in Missouri?” below for the full list of reasons accepted by the state.
Requesting an Absentee Ballot
You have to apply with your local election office to receive an absentee ballot. You can request your ballot in person or send a completed application by mail or fax.
Voters who apply for their ballot in person need to show an accepted form of photo ID.
If you send your request by mail or fax, you usually do not have to include a copy of ID. You will need to give the last four digits of your Social Security number on your request form.
Voters who registered by mail and have never voted in person are also required to provide a copy of an accepted photo ID.
Returning an Absentee Ballot
Your ballot envelope must be notarized if you did not provide ID when you requested your ballot. If you are voting absentee due to your health, you are not required to notarize your ballot.
The signature on your ballot envelope will be compared to the one on file with the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have the right ID to vote in Missouri?
If you can’t present a photo ID accepted for voting in Missouri, you have to cast a provisional ballot.
Provisional ballots make sure eligible voters are not turned away from the polls.
You will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
Your provisional ballot will count if:
- You return to your polling place before it closes on Election Day and present an accepted photo ID.
or
- Your signature on your provisional ballot envelope matches the signature on your voter registration record.
Can I use a digital or mobile ID to vote in Missouri?
Do I need a “REAL ID” to vote in Missouri?
You do not need a REAL ID to vote in Missouri.
Your driver’s license or state ID card will show a star in the upper corner if it meets REAL ID requirements under federal law.
2 Register
Who can vote in Missouri?
You need to register before you can vote in Missouri.
You can vote in Missouri if you meet these requirements:
- You are a citizen of the United States.
- You are a resident of Missouri.
- You are at least 18 years of age on Election Day.
You cannot register to vote in Missouri if:
- You are currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction.
- You are under a court order that takes away your right to vote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register to vote in Missouri if I have been convicted of a crime?
Each state has its own laws about whether citizens with previous criminal convictions can vote.
To check your eligibility to register in Missouri, visit Restore Your Vote.
Can I register to vote in Missouri if I attend college in Missouri?
College students are allowed to vote using their Missouri school residence address.
You can decide whether to register in your home state or where you attend school.
You may only be registered and vote in one location.
How to Register
Required ID Information
You have to verify your identity when you register to vote!
If you have a driver’s license or state ID card:
- Give your license or ID number on the registration form.
If you do not have either ID:
- Give the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
- Don’t have a Social Security number? Leave this part of the form blank.
If you do not provide an ID number when you register, be ready to show an accepted ID the first time you vote.
Register to Vote Online
You can use this form to register in Missouri online.
Other Voter Registration Options
- Complete a registration form and send via mail.
- Visit your local election office or a voter registration agency to register in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register and vote on the same day in Missouri?
No, Missouri does not allow you to register and vote on the same day.
Check Missouri’s registration deadlines here!.
If the registration deadline for an upcoming election has passed, you can still apply to register. Your registration will be processed, and you will be registered to vote in future elections.
How do I fix or update my voter registration information?
If you cannot find your registration information or if any details are incorrect:
- Update your name, address, or political party affiliation by submitting a new registration.
- Contact your local election office if you have questions or need to make other changes.
Register to Vote in Missouri
Don’t have a state-issued ID? VoteRiders is here to help!
3 Vote
Voting in Person
Missouri requests photo ID to vote in person. Vote and sign a provisional ballot if you don’t have an accepted ID. Your ballot will count if the state verifies your signature.
Voting by Mail
Absentee ballots in Missouri are only for some voters.
Reasons you can vote by absentee ballot include:
- Not being in your county on Election Day
- Physical disability or illness
Requesting an Absentee Ballot
You have to apply with your local election office to receive an absentee ballot. You can request your ballot in person or send a completed application by mail or fax.
Voters who apply for their ballot in person need to show an accepted form of photo ID.
If you send your request by mail or fax, you usually do not have to include a copy of ID. You will need to give the last four digits of your Social Security number on your request form.
Voters who registered by mail and have never voted in person are also required to provide a copy of an accepted photo ID.
Returning an Absentee Ballot
Your ballot envelope must be notarized if you did not provide ID when you requested your ballot. If you are voting absentee due to your health, you are not required to notarize your ballot.
The signature on your ballot envelope will be compared to the one on file with the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fix my Missouri mail ballot if it is rejected?
Missouri does not have a formal policy in place to allow a voter to fix (“cure”) their ballot if it is rejected.
Anecdotal reports suggest that some county clerks have been willing to assist voters who have submitted absentee ballots with errors, such as a missing signature.
If you are notified by a county clerk that there is an error on your absentee ballot, we encourage you to work with them to cure your ballot and ensure that it is counted.
Who can vote absentee in Missouri?
The following reasons are accepted:
- Absent from your county on Election Day
- Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability
- Primarily responsible for the physical care of a person who is incapacitated or confined due to illness or disability (must reside at the same address)
- Religious beliefs or practice
- Employment as an election authority or by an election authority at a location other than your polling place, a first responder, a health care worker, or a member of law enforcement.
- Incarceration (if you have retained your voting rights)
- Certified participation in the address confidentiality program because of safety concerns.
