Question 1

Where can I learn more about the History of Voting?

Accepted Answer

Question 2

How do I check if I am registered to vote?

Accepted Answer

Use the Voter Lookup 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.   You have several options:   Attend a Dance the Vote Event and register on site! Register Online Print and Mail Your Registration Register in Person Request an Appliction to be Mailed to You

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, 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 Presidental Election on November 3, 2020 you must be registered to vote by October 7, 2020.    You can visit us at any Dance the Vote Events 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   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.

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 https://ballotpedia.org/Missouri_elections,_2020. 
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

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

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   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

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

According to the Missouri Secretary of State website, in order to change your name in the voter registration lists, you need to contact the election authority before the election or an election judge at your polling place and notify them of the change. The election authority will enter the change on the record and issue new voter identification cards. Voters are allowed to vote at one election under the old name without changing their voter registration after notifying the election judges of the name change. In order to find out how you can update your registration to vote because of change of name or change of address, visit the SOS register to vote page.

Question 10

How do I vote early?

Accepted Answer

Missouri does not permit early voting.   States that do not permit early voting still permit some or all citizens to vote early by mail—often known as absentee voting. Some states allow no-excuse absentee voting, while others require an excuse.  See here for more information about absentee voting requirements in Missouri.   Absentee ballot requests must be mailed or faxed to the Election Board no later than 5 p.m. the Wednesday before the election.   These are also locations for in-person absentee voting.   St. Louis City Board of Elections: 300 N. Tucker Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63101, 314-622-4336 St. Louis County Board of Elections: 725 Northwest Plaza Dr., St. Ann, MO 63074, 314-615-1800 Franklin County Clerk: Franklin County Govt. Center, 400 E. Locust, Room 201, Union, MO 63084, 636-583-6355 Jefferson County Clerk: 729 Maple, Hillsboro, MO 63050, 636-797-5486 or 800-748-3456 Lincoln County Clerk: Courthouse, Room 104, 201 Main St., Troy, MO 63379, 1-636-528-6300 St. Charles County Board of Elections: 397 Turner Blvd. St. Peter's, MO, 636-949-7550 Warren County Clerk: 101 Mockingbird Lane, Suite 302, Warrenton, MO 63383, 636-456-3331 If you are voting absentee by mail, your notarized affidavit envelope, with your voted ballot inside, must be returned to the Election Board no later than 7 p.m. the day of the election. The ballot may be returned by the voter in person, through the mail, or by registered carrier or a registered voter's relative in the 1st or 2nd degree.

Question 11

Am I required to vote for everything on a ballot?

Accepted Answer

No! You are not required to vote for everything on a ballot.

Question 12

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

Question 13

What if I lost my Voter Card?

Accepted Answer

According to the Missouri Secretary of State website you may contact your local election authority to request a new one. Presenting a voter identification card is not required on election day. Voters must present a form of valid id.  You may look up your polling place at the Voter Information Lookup.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

If you moved before the deadline to register for an election, you must complete your new registration prior to the registration deadline in order to be eligible to vote a full ballot in your new jurisdiction.   If you moved after the registration deadline, you will be entitled to vote a limited ballot, containing only federal and statewide candidates and issues once you submit a completed voter registration application in person with the local election authority. People moving from one election jurisdiction to another prior to the registration deadline who fail to register to vote by the registration deadline will not be able to vote in that particular election. If you moved to Missouri after the deadline to register for a presidential election, you are entitled to register and vote only a presidential and vice presidential ballot in your new jurisdiction.

Question 15

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. 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 16

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. 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 17

Where can I find out more about voting?

Accepted Answer

Here are some interesting resources you can explore to learn more about voting!   45 interesting (not all US but some good ones) https://www.factretriever.com/election-facts   The 13: Voting history fun https://www.thirteen.org/blog-post/10-fun-facts-voting-history/ Pioneer Woman 20 interesting facts https://thepioneerwoman.com/fun-and-learning/twenty-interesting-things-aboutvoting-in-the-u-s/ BBC: 10 US Election oddities https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37851764 10 of the most bizarre: https://www.cnn.com/2015/10/30/politics/interesting-u-s-elections/index.html 10  Facts about Election Day: https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/10-facts-and-some-interesting-trivia-about-election-day/ Kickass facts about elections (a few US): https://www.kickassfacts.com/25-kickass-interesting-facts-elections/ Farmer's Almanac: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/election-day-trivia-29094   Bustle: https://www.bustle.com/articles/190723-these-weird-voting-facts-from-history-really-put-the-2016-election-into-perspective Mental Floss: 15 facts elections around the world https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/87284/15-facts-about-elections-around-world

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

YES! We encourage participation!   We are excited to announce that we are relaunching the project, during another crucial election year.  We will be hosting a Dance the Vote event at Missouri History Museum (in Forest Park) on Saturday, September 26th from 1-3 pm with a call time of 12 pm and an event at Ritz Park (on South Grand) on Saturday, October 3rd from 2-5 pm with a call time of 1 pm.   We are looking for choreographers and dancers to create 3-5 minute pieces to be performed on one or both of the aforementioned days that explore the importance and/or history of voting and/or human rights.  Some possible ideas include the experience of African Americans and women around voting, voting rights, voter suppression, voting in other countries, etc.  We would love to have a myriad of styles.    If you are interested and available, please fill out the Google form below by May 15th, so that the Dance the Vote Team can begin working on set lists for both events. We hope that you will join us!  Please let me know if you have any questions!   You can participate in Dance the Vote. Please complete and submit the online form at:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pWemeIute6jXOQPfuXkluqGskRoDfK0GrmM86h4OoM/

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

VOTING IN MISSOURI