How to Vote in Missouri’s 2024 Elections

Posted on 03/13/24 by Maura Kelly Lannan

En español

Important dates and election information

Key dates

  • Republican caucus: Saturday, March 2, must be in line by 10 a.m.
  • Democratic primary: Saturday, March 23
  • State primary: Tuesday, Aug. 6
  • General election: Tuesday, Nov. 5

Voting at a glance

  • Absentee voting: Voters who meet certain criteria, such as being confined to home because of illness or disability or being out of town on Election Day, can cast an absentee ballot in the state primary.
  • Early voting: You can cast an absentee ballot in person starting two weeks before Election Day — the only time you can vote absentee without a reason.

Voting in Missouri

What to know about recent changes

The state will not hold a presidential primary, following a 2022 change to the law. The Democratic Party will hold a primary on Saturday, March 23, with in-person voting at select locations across the state. Check back for additional information and how to vote by mail in the Democratic primary, as it becomes available.

The same law change requires voters to present a valid photo ID when casting a regular ballot in person, allows no-excuse absentee voting for two weeks before an election and bans the use of drop boxes.

The state’s redistricting plan redrew certain congressional and state legislative districts and may affect which candidates appear on your ballot.

Voter registration

Register to vote by mail, in person or online:

  • In person: Register in person or drop off a completed registration form at your local election authority. Or register at a library, a driver’s licensing center or at other state agencies listed on the secretary of state’s website. If you register in person, you’ll need to present a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a current Missouri driver’s license or U.S. passport.
  • Online: Use the state’s voter registration portal. You’ll be asked to include your driver’s license number if you have one and the last four digits of your Social Security number, also if you have one. 

Check your voter registration status through the state’s voter information portal.

The deadline to register to vote in the state primary is Wednesday, July 10.

Registering to vote on Election Day

You cannot register to vote on Election Day in Missouri.

Primary voting and party affiliation

You do not need to declare party affiliation when you register or vote in a primary in Missouri, but you can vote in only one party’s primary.

Ferguson, Missouri Residents Vote On Election Day
Getty Images

Ways to vote

Requesting an absentee ballot

Absentee ballots are available only to certain voters, including people with an illness or disability or those who will be out of town on primary Election Day. A list of criteria is on the secretary of state’s website. However, all voters may vote by absentee ballot without a reason during the two weeks before an election.

Request an absentee ballot by mail, in person or online:

  • In person: Fill out a ballot request or drop off your completed form at your local election authority. Requests made in person must be done by 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, for the state primary.

Returning your absentee ballot

Return your absentee ballot by mail or in person:

  • By mail: Once you complete your ballot, you will need to place it in the envelope and get the envelope notarized, unless you are a nursing home resident, confined to your home because of illness or disability, or on active duty in the military. Then mail your ballot to your election authority. It must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.
  • In person: After completing your ballot and getting it notarized, unless you are exempt from that requirement, return it in person to your election authority. It can be returned any time before polls close on Election Day.

Check with your election authority to confirm the receipt of your ballot.

Voting in person before Election Day

Missouri does not have early voting, but you can cast an absentee ballot in person starting two weeks before the primary and until 5 p.m. the day before the election. It is the only time you can vote absentee without a reason. You do not have to have your absentee ballot notarized if you fill it out at your election authority.

Voting at the polls on Election Day


State primary

To vote, you will need to show a valid Missouri driver’s license, state ID card, U.S. passport or other acceptable ID listed on the secretary of state’s website. If you forget your ID, you can still cast a provisional ballot, which will be counted as long as your signature matches the signature in the state’s voter registry or if you return to your polling place with proper ID.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on primary day, Tuesday, Aug. 6, but you can vote after 7 p.m. as long as you are in line before then. Contact your local election authority to find your polling place.

Voter ID requirements on Election Day

You will need to show a valid Missouri driver’s license, state ID card, U.S. passport or other acceptable ID. If you forget your ID, you can still cast a provisional ballot.

Voting with a disability

Polling places in Missouri offer curbside voting to people with limited mobility. You can ask someone to go inside your polling place to request that a ballot be brought out to you.

If you have physical disabilities and your polling place is not accessible, you can request a different polling place by contacting your local election authority.

Every polling place must have an accessible voting system for people with disabilities as well as equipment to help voters who are visually impaired.

If you have a permanent physical disability, you can ask to be placed on the state’s permanent absentee voting list and absentee ballot applications will be automatically mailed to you before every election. Contact your local election authority for more information.

More information about candidates

Key races

  • U.S. President
  • Governor
  • U.S. House: eight seats
  • U.S. Senate: one seat

Sample ballots will be available at the secretary of state’s website.


Editor’s note: This guide was originally published Jan. 10, 2024, and has been updated with new information about voting in the 2024 elections.

Maura Kelly Lannan is a writer, editor and producer for AARP who covers federal and state policy. She has worked as a reporter for the Associated Press, the Chicago Tribune and the Waterbury, Connecticut, Republican-American. She also has written for Bloomberg Government, The Boston Globe and other publications. 

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