Question 1

Where can I learn more about the History of Voting?

Accepted Answer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar7r5aG_B0Y

Question 2

How do I check if I am registered to vote?

Accepted Answer

The best place to look is at:
 https://www.voteamerica.com/am-i-registered-to-vote/ (https://www.voteamerica.com/am-i-registered-to-vote/)

You can also use the Voter Lookup (https://s1.sos.mo.gov/elections/VoterLookup/)online:
 
Enter the information requested below to determine if you are registered and where you vote.
Tips:
 • Enter your name as registered (e.g., if you are registered as Robert do not enter Bob).
 • If you have a non-standard address such as a rural route, you will need to contact your Local Election Authority instead of using this lookup.
 • To search by address only, please go to the Voter Outreach Portal.

Question 3

How do I register to vote?

Accepted Answer

First, be sure you are not already registered to vote by clicking here.(https://s1.sos.mo.gov/elections/voterlookup)
 
You have several options:
 
 • Attend a Dance the Vote Event (javascript:void(0))and register on site!
 • Register Online(https://s1.sos.mo.gov/elections/voterregistration/)
 • Print and Mail Your Registration(https://s1.sos.mo.gov/Elections/VoterRegistration/Home/Print)
 • Register in Person(https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/pickupmail)
 • Request an Appliction (https://s1.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/request)to be Mailed to You

Watch this video to learn how to use a touchscreen device to register to vote:  https://www.stlouisvpc.org/video-how-to-register-online-in-mo(https://www.stlouisvpc.org/video-how-to-register-online-in-mo)

Question 4

Is it too late to register to vote?

Accepted Answer

According to the Missouri Secretary of State, in order to be registered to vote in an election, you need to be registered by the Election Day deadline,(https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/calendar/2019cal) or the normal close of business of any public building where registration is allowed, whichever is later, on the fourth Wednesday prior to the election. If registering by mail, your voter registration must be postmarked on the fourth Wednesday prior to the election. If you register after such time, you will be registered to vote in subsequent elections.
 
For the Presidential Election on November 8, 2022 you must be registered to vote by October 13, 2022. 
 
You can also visit us at any Dance the Vote Events (javascript:void(0))and register to vote!

Question 5

Can I register to vote by mail?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Go to https://s1.sos.mo.gov/Elections/VoterRegistration/Home/Print(https://s1.sos.mo.gov/Elections/VoterRegistration/Home/Print)
 
Select your county of residence from the drop-down menu below. The voter registration application will appear in a separate window as a PDF document. Completed voter registration applications must be mailed to your local election authority. Your local election authority's mailing address is available here.(https://s1.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/localelectionauthority.aspx)

Question 6

Where can I learn who is running for office and research issues?

Accepted Answer

You can find who is running for office in Missouri at
 
 • Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Missouri_elections,_2022(https://ballotpedia.org/Missouri_elections,_2022)

• Vote411: https://www.vote411.org/ (https://www.vote411.org/)

Enter your address, zip code and email to access a sample ballot.

Question 7

What identification do I need to take with me to the polls?

Accepted Answer

https://www.sos.mo.gov/showit2vote (https://www.sos.mo.gov/showit2vote)

Voters who want to cast a REGULAR BALLOT must show one of the accepted forms of ID set forth in ShowIt2Vote.com.(ShowIt2Vote.com)  Voters who do not have one of these accepted forms of ID may vote on a PROVISIONAL BALLOT that can be validated by matching the voter's signature on the provisional ballot envelope with the signature on file at the election authority office. Want to get an ID but don't have one? ShowItVote.com (ShowItVote.com)has ways to help voters get a free ID (https://s1.sos.mo.gov/voteridhelp)as well as free copies of the necessary documents, like a birth certificate or marriage license.

In more detail:
According to the Missouri Secretary of State website you must show one of the forms of acceptable identification and sign the poll book to obtain your ballot:
 
 • Identification issued by the state of Missouri, an agency of the state, or a local election authority of the state;
 • Identification issued by the United States government or agency thereof;
 • Identification issued by an institution of higher education, including a university, college, vocational and technical school, located within the state of Missouri; or
 • A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document that contains the name and address of the voter.

If you do not possess any of these forms of identification, but are a registered voter, you may cast a provisional ballot. Your ballot will count if: (1) you return to your polling place on Election Day with a photo ID; or (2) the signature on your provisional ballot envelope is determined by your local election authority to match the signature on your voter registration record.
 
If you cast a provisional ballot, you will receive a stub from your provisional ballot envelope with instructions on how to verify that your provisional ballot is counted.
 
Samples of Acceptable Forms of ID(https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/ElectionGoVoteMissouri/AcceptableIDstoVote--01.17.2020.pdf)

Question 8

Where do I vote on election day?

Accepted Answer

Your election information is based on where you reside. Enter your Missouri residential address in the link below to:
 • Locate your polling place
 • Find upcoming elections & view candidates and issues
 • View your current districts
https://voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov/PRD/VoterOutreach/VOSearch.aspx(https://voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov/PRD/VoterOutreach/VOSearch.aspx)
 
Many states offer online services that can help you look up your local voting site. Others list contact information for local election officials, who are trained to help you find your polling place. Select your place of residence in the drop down menu.
 
https://www.nass.org/can-i-vote/find-your-polling-place(https://www.nass.org/can-i-vote/find-your-polling-place)

Question 9

I changed my legal name. Where do I change my name on voter registration?

Accepted Answer

Voters can do a name change by filling out a voter registration update anytime, including on Election Day at their polling place. You just need to let the poll workers know that your name has changed.

Question 10

What is Absentee Voting?

Accepted Answer

You can vote absentee (IN PERSON or BY MAIL) before Election Day if you expect to have ONE of the following reasons:

• Absence on Election Day from the jurisdiction of the election authority in which such voter is registered to vote (if voting absentee by mail, your signature on ballot return envelope must be NOTARIZED);

• Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability, including a caregiver who is primarily responsible for the physical care of a person who is incapacitated or confined due to illness or disability (NO NOTARY IS REQUIRED);

• Religious belief or practice (ballot envelope signature must be NOTARIZED);

• Employment as a first responder, healthcare worker, law enforcement, or as an an election worker (ballot envelope signature must be notarized)

• Incarceration, provided all qualifications for voting are retained (NO NOTARY REQUIRED); or

• Certified participation in the Safe At Home address confidentiality program established under sections 589.660 to 589.681 because of safety concerns.

Question 11

I have a permanent disability, how do I vote?

Accepted Answer

Permanent Absentee Status
Voters who have permanent disabilities that prevent them from going to the polls can send in a special application to their election authority to be put on Permanent Absentee Status. Voters on Permanent Absentee Status will automatically receive an absentee ballot APPLICATION before each election and **must complete and return that APPLICATION for EACH ELECTION in order to get a ballot.**  After they receive and complete their ballot, they will NOT need to have the ballot return envelope notarized.

Question 12

What are my voting options?

Accepted Answer

Of course! Qualified voters can vote absentee IN PERSON or BY MAIL starting six weeks before Election Day. Voters can also vote IN PERSON on Election Day. Here's a complete rundown:  
https://www.stlouisvpc.org/know-your-options (https://www.stlouisvpc.org/know-your-options)

Question 13

What if I make a mistake or change my mind when filling out my ballot?

Accepted Answer

Don't worry! STOP - and ask a poll worker for a ballot.

Question 14

Am I required to vote for everything on a ballot?

Accepted Answer

No! You are not required to vote for everything on a ballot. But, if you don't vote on everything, you will miss the opportunity to make your voice heard on candidates and issues that might be important to you.

Also, if you make a mistake in filling out your ballot or change your mind, STOP - you can ask the poll worker for a new ballot.

Question 15

Does a Voter Card work as a form of identification? Do I need it to vote?

Accepted Answer

Presenting a voter identification card is not required on election day. However, you must have one of the following forms of indentification: 
https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/ShowIt2Vote/AcceptableIDs.pdf(https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/ShowIt2Vote/AcceptableIDs.pdf)

Question 16

What if I lost my Voter Card?

Accepted Answer

According to the Missouri Secretary of State website you may contact your local election authority (https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/localelectionauthority)to request a new one. Presenting a voter identification card is not required on election day. Voters must present a form of valid id.(https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/ShowIt2Vote/AcceptableIDs.pdf)  You may look up your polling place at the Voter Information Lookup.(https://s1.sos.mo.gov/elections/voterlookup/)

Question 17

I just moved to Missouri. Can I register to vote in my new state?

Accepted Answer

If you moved before the deadline to register (https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/calendar/2020cal)for an election, you must complete your new registration (https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/register)prior to the registration deadline in order to be eligible to vote a full ballot in your new jurisdiction.
 
In other words, register to vote as soon as you move to Missouri.

If you move after the voter registration deadline, you will have the option to vote a partial ballot at your election authority office.

Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE if you need help with this process.

Question 18

I live abroad. How do I register to vote?

Accepted Answer

If you live abroad you you may use the Military and Overseas Voting Access Portal.(https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/registeroverseas) Use the Missouri Secretary of State portal to register to vote and request and receive your absentee ballot if you are military or overseas voter or their family.

Question 19

I'm in the Armed Forces. How do I register to vote?

Accepted Answer

If you are in the Armed Forces you may use the Military and Overseas Voting Access Portal.(https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/registeroverseas) Use the Missouri Secretary of State portal to register to vote and request and receive your absentee ballot if you are military or overseas voter or their family.
 
If you are a member of the military in combat zone, hostile fire or imminent danger areas, you will be able to receive, mark and return your ballot using our portal.

Question 20

Where can I find out more about voting?

Accepted Answer

Voting laws and practices are different in every state! You might hear a lot of different things in the news that don’t seem familiar to you, but that doesn’t mean something is wrong—it just means that other states do things differently.  This also means that you need to find reliable local sources of info about voting in Missouri!

Here is a short video on how to find voting info that is right for you in Missouri: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UNrO8uQLd5Hfu_2NE_WHPWZ6prov8aLt/view?usp=sharing(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UNrO8uQLd5Hfu_2NE_WHPWZ6prov8aLt/view?usp=sharing)

Question 21

Can I Participate in Dance the Vote? How can I particpate in Dance the Vote?

Accepted Answer

YES! We encourage participation!
 
We will be hosting a Dance the Vote event, MIDTERMS MATTER, at Missouri History Museum (in Forest Park) on Saturday, September 24th from 12-3 pm.

You can find out more at https://www.dancethevotestl.org/events (https://www.dancethevotestl.org/events)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

VOTING IN MISSOURI

Learn more about voting awareness, registration, how-to and more!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

VOTING IN MISSOURI Learn more about voting awareness, registration, how-to and more!

VOTING IN MISSOURI

Learn more about voting awareness, registration, how-to and more!