Key Takeaways
- To register to vote in Missouri, you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident, at least 17.5 years old, and not serving a felony sentence.
- You can register online, by mail, or in person at designated agencies.
- The registration deadline is 28 days before an election; mark your calendar accordingly.
- After registering, check your status online and keep your registration card for voting.
- Update your registration if you move or change your name to avoid issues at the polls.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
If you live in Missouri and want your voice heard at the ballot box, the first thing you need to do is complete your Missouri voter registration. The process is straightforward, and Missouri gives you a few different ways to get it done. Here’s everything you need to know.
Who Can Register to Vote in Missouri?
Before you register, make sure you meet the basic eligibility requirements. You must be a United States citizen, a Missouri resident, at least 17.5 years old (though you must be 18 by Election Day to actually cast a vote), and not currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction. If you meet all of those, you’re ready to move forward.
How to Register
Missouri makes it easy by offering three ways to register:
Online.Â
Visit the Missouri Secretary of State’s website at vote.mo.gov and complete your registration there. You’ll need a valid Missouri driver’s license or state ID number to use the online portal. This is the fastest option and takes about five minutes.
By mail.Â
Download and print the Missouri Voter Registration Application from vote.mo.gov, fill it out completely, and mail it to your local election authority. Make sure you sign it — unsigned forms get rejected. You’ll need to include a copy of an acceptable photo ID if this is your first time registering in the state and you’re registering by mail.
In person.Â
Head to your local election authority’s office, a Missouri license office, or any public assistance agency that participates in voter registration. Staff can walk you through the form and answer questions on the spot.
Know the Deadline
Missouri has a registration deadline of 28 days before any election. Don’t wait until the last minute. Mark your calendar as soon as an election is announced so you have plenty of time to register and receive your confirmation card in the mail.
Update Your Registration
Already registered but moved recently? You need to update your registration with your new address. You can do this through the same online portal at vote.mo.gov. If your name has changed due to marriage or a legal name change, update that too. Voting under an outdated name or address can cause problems at the polls.
Check Your Registration Status
Once you’ve submitted your registration, you can check its status online at vote.mo.gov using your name and date of birth. Your county election authority will also mail you a voter registration card within a few weeks as confirmation. Hold onto that card. It’s useful to bring to the polls, though Missouri does require you to show a valid photo ID to vote.
Registration is just the first step. Once you’re registered, find your polling place at vote.mo.gov, check what’s on your local ballot, and make a plan for Election Day. Missouri also offers absentee voting if you can’t make it to the polls in person. You can request an absentee ballot through your local election authority.
Getting registered takes less than ten minutes. Do it today, and make sure your voice counts when it matters most.