Director of Policy and Advocacy for Kids Win Missouri Robyn Schelp is bringing you everything you need to know about voting on election day or before. Find out more below!
Absentee voting
Absentee voting in Missouri has already begun!! You may vote by absentee ballot if you meet the following criteria:
- Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability.
- Expect to be absent on Election Day
- Election workers, first responders, healthcare workers and members of law enforcement
- Religious belief or practice
- Incarcerated but haven’t lost right to vote
- Active-duty military personnel and close family members living with them.
- Missouri citizens living outside the US
Absentee ballots may be completed in person at the local election authority or via mail. Request your absentee ballot at govotemissouri.com. Absentee ballots must be returned to the appropriate local election authority by 5pm on Oct. 23.
No Excuse Absentee Voting
While traditional absentee voting requires the voter to meet specific qualifications to vote early, Missouri’s No Excuse Absentee Voting allows any voter to vote early–beginning two weeks before the election. No Excuse Absentee Voting must be done in person at your local election authority or a satellite location designated by your local election authority. When voting an absentee ballot in person, you must show an acceptable form of photo ID.
Long Ballot
There is a lot on the ballot in November! Every Missourian will have the chance to vote for a US senator and representative, five statewide officials, a state representative, county officials, judges, five constitutional amendments, and a proposition. Depending on where you live, you may have even more items on the ballot. We would encourage you to do your homework and read over your ballot before heading to the polls. You should get a sample ballot in the mail, but you can access a sample ballot at govotemissouri.com.
Amendment vs. Proposition
Chances are you’ve seen signs telling you how to vote on Amendment 3 or Proposition A, but what’s the difference between an amendment and a proposition? Missourians will have five amendments and one proposition on the ballot in the general election. An amendment is a change to the constitution. Any change to the constitution requires the vote of the people. If an amendment passes, the only way it can be reversed or tweaked is through another vote of the people. Propositions cause a change to state statute, or law. Laws created by propositions can be changed or reversed through the legislative process or with another proposition. Amendments are placed on the ballot by either the legislature or through the initiative petition process. A proposition is placed on the ballot through the initiative petition process. To see a list of all the ballot measures, go to https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/petitions/2024BallotMeasures
Accessible Voting
Nov. 5 is Election Day and ALL Missouri residents age 18 and over can vote. There are a few accessible voting options for those with disabilities. Voters with limited mobility can vote curbside by having someone go in and ask poll workers to bring a ballot out to you. If your polling place isn’t accessible, you can also request a different polling place assignment or go to a central location. Every polling place must have an accessible voting system that includes an audio ballot or the ability to enlarge text. Absentee voting is also available for those with physical disabilities or illness.