The November election is now less than two months away. Missouri citizens who plan to vote need to be aware of key dates on the election calendar and identification requirements at polling places.
Missouri’s elections are decentralized, and the state is composed of 116 local election jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction is led by an elected county clerk or a board of election commissioners, who are appointed by the governor. In addition to conducting local, state and federal elections, local election authorities are responsible for the registration of voters and maintenance of voter registration records.
A photo ID is required to cast a ballot on election day, according to the secretary of state’s office. Several options are available:
- A nonexpired Missouri driver or non-driver license;
- A nonexpired military ID, including a veteran’s ID card;
- A nonexpired United States passport; or
- Another photo ID issued by the United States or the state of Missouri which is either not expired or expired after the date of the most recent general election
If a registered voter doesn’t have any of these forms of identification, they can cast a provisional ballot. That ballot will count they only if they return it their polling place on election day with a photo ID of if he signature on the provisional ballot envelope is determined by the local election authority to match the signature on their voter registration record.
These are the key dates for voting in Missouri:
- October 9: Last day to register to vote online and in person. Mail-in registrations must be postmarked by October 9,
- October 22: No-excuse in-person absentee voting begins.
- October 23: Last day to request an absentee ballot by mail (by 5 p.m.).
- November 4: Deadline to request an absentee ballot in person (by 5 p.m.).
- November 4: Deadline for in-person no-excuse absentee voting (5 p.m.).
- November 5: Election Day. Absentee ballots must be returned by 7 p.m.
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice