Missouri

1 Check ID Rules

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.

Accepted IDs

You can show:

Unexpired or has no expiration date

Missouri driver’s license
Missouri state ID card
Military identification issued by Missouri National Guard or US Armed Forces
Identification issued by Veterans Affairs

Ok if expired after November 5, 2024:

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.

Learn more here! (link to “Vote” section)

Can I use a digital or mobile ID to vote in Missouri?

The state has not provided any guidance regarding digital IDs.

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.

Missouri REAL ID info

2 Register

Missouri Voter Registration Requirements

You must register before you can vote in Missouri.

You are eligible to vote in Missouri if you meet all of the following 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 have been convicted of a felony and your civil rights have not been restored.

To register to vote:

You must provide your driver’s license number or state ID number if you have one.
If you do not have either of these IDs, you can use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number (SSN).
If you do not have a Social Security number, then leave that space blank on your registration form.

If you don’t provide any of these numbers or the state can’t match the number you provide to official records, you will have to show an accepted form of ID the first time you vote.

If you vote in person, present an accepted form of ID at the polls.
If you vote by mail, provide a copy of an accepted form of ID with your absentee ballot.

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.

Missouri’s deadline to register for an upcoming election is 27 days before Election Day.

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.

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 to vote in Missouri, use 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 if you prefer to register in your home state or in Missouri if you attend school there. You may only be registered and vote in one location.

Student ID is not accepted for voting in Missouri. You can find a full list of your ID options here.

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

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

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?

In Missouri, you have to give a specific reason for voting by absentee ballot.
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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Voting in Person

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Frequently Asked Questions