Missouri Election Law

Related Information

Voter Registration

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
MethodIn person, mail, online.No ChangesNo Legislative Activity
DeadlineThe Fourth Wednesday before Election DayNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity
AutomaticNoNo ChangesHB0414, HB1098, and HB0801 (all in committee) would create automatic registration procedures based on driver's license information.
HB0641 (in committee) would create automatic registration based on any "practical" records.
Same DayNoNo ChangesHB0418, HB1112, and HB0641 (all in committee) would allow same day registration.

Absentee Ballot Application

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
ExcuseIllness, disability, religious belief/practice, employment as an election authority, or address confidentiality safety concerns.SB0631 amended state law to add infected with or in an at-risk category for COVID-19 to list of excuses.HB0411 (in committee) would allow eligible voters confined in jail (but not charged) to vote absentee.
AutomaticNoAny registered voter could cast a notarized absentee ballot in the 2020 general election.HB1362 (in committee) would prohibit the sending of unsolicited absentee ballot request forms.
Deadline5PM on the Wednesday before Election Day.No ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Valid for X# of Cycles1No ChangesNo Legislative Activity

Absentee Ballot Return (other than by mail)

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
Voter IDNon-photo ID required.MO Supreme Court struck down state law requiring voters without ID to sign an affidavit to vote.HJR 62 would amend the MO Constitution to require voters to provide government-issued ID or only vote by provisional ballot.
In PersonYesMail-in only.SB0014 (in committee) would require in-person absentee voters to show photo ID.
Drop BoxNoNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Return DeadlineMail or fax; 5PM on the second Wednesday before Election Day.
In person; 5PM the night before Election Day.		No ChangesNo Legislative Activity

Ballot Harvesting

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
ProhibitedNo; absentee ballots may be returned by the voter or a relative within the second degree of consanguinity.No ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Limited 3rd PartyOnly family members.No ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Paid Political OperativesNoNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity

Early Voting

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
By MailNoNo ChangesHB0415 and HB1099 (both in committee) would establish early voting by mail procedures in MO.
In PersonNoNo ChangesHB0415 and HB1099 (both in committee) would establish early voting in person procedures in MO.

Voter Identification - Absentee Ballot

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
Signature VerificationNoNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Witness StatementNot required; envelope must be notarized.No ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Other---
Cure ProcessNoNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity

Voter Identification - In Person

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
Photo IDNot required.No ChangesHJR 62 would amend the MO Constitution to require voters to provide government-issued ID or only vote by provisional ballot.
Other OptionsCurrent document containing voter's name issued by state, US government, a school of higher education, or a bill, bank statement, or check containing the voter's name.No ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Provisional BallotsUsed when voter cannot provide a valid form of ID.No ChangesSB0014 (in committee) would require voters voting by provisional ballot to sign an affidavit confirming identifying information.

Voting Day

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
Hours6AM-7PMNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Wait TimeNo LegislationNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity
ElectioneeringProhibited within 100 feet of polling places.No ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Other---

Voter Rolls

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
Update FrequencyNo LegislationNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Voter RemovalDeath, moving away, felony conviction, incapacitation, or listing as an inactive voter through two consecutive general elections.No ChangesSB0137 (in committee) would permit removal after two calendar years of no "voter activity," e.g. registering to vote, voting, or signing certain types of petitions.
HB1327 would remove funding from local election officials who refuse to purge voters on rolls that the Secretary of State has called on them to remove.