GOV
Your Rights as a Voter
Know what your rights are as you get ready to cast your ballot.
Overview
Voting is an important way to take part in local government and make your voice heard. There are a lot of rules and regulations that govern voting, but voters also have rights when they go to the polls. Learn what your rights are to make your vote count.
Voting on Election Day
- If the polls close while you’re still in line, stay in line. You have the right to vote as long as you are in line when the polls close.
- If the poll officials say you are not registered to vote, or your name or address are incorrect, or you are at the wrong polling place, you have the right to request and cast a provisional ballot.
- You can bring your notes, a voter's guide, or a sample ballot into the voting booth. This frees you from having to memorize your choices for candidates and ballot initiatives. Some polling places do restrict cell phone use, so bring paper copies instead of using your phone.
- If you make a mistake on your ballot, you can ask for a new one.
- If the machines are down at your polling place, ask for a paper ballot.
- If you run into any problems or have questions on Election Day, contact the Board of Election Commissioners.
Voter Identification
Acceptable Forms of ID for Voting
- A nonexpired Missouri driver or non-driver license;
- A nonexpired military ID, including a veteran’s ID card;
- A nonexpired United States passport; or
- Another photo ID issued by the United States or the state of Missouri which is either not expired or expired after the date of the most recent general election.
Learn how to obtain a photo ID.
Voting Without Identification
If you do NOT have a State of Missouri or federally issued photo ID, but you are registered to vote, you can still vote at your polling place by casting a provisional ballot on Election Day.
Your provisional ballot will count if:
- you return to your polling place on Election Day with a photo ID; or
- the signature on your provisional ballot envelope is determined by your local election authority to match the signature on your voter registration record.
Voting by Provisional Ballot
A provisional ballot is a ballot that will not be counted immediately, but will be checked for accuracy first. Provisional ballots are used:
- If you visit your polling place and the poll worker says you are not registered or you are not at the correct polling place, but you believe you are, you may vote via provisional ballot. After Election Day, a bipartisan team of election judges will check your provisional ballot against records and confirm your eligibility and correct polling place. If you're registered to vote and were at the correct polling place, your vote will count.
- If you do NOT have a State of Missouri or federally issued photo ID, but you are registered to vote, you may vote via provisional ballot. After Election Day, a bipartisan team of election judges will compare the signature on your provisional ballot envelope to your voter registration signature on file at the Election Board. If the signature matches, the vote will count.
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.
Read Revised Statutes of Missouri Section 115.430 for more information on provisional ballots.
Voters With Disabilities
As a voter with a disability, you have the right to ADA accommodations when voting. Please see this guide for voters with disabilities.
Resources
- Missouri Secretary of State
The Elections Division of the Office of the Secretary of State is responsible for administering all statewide elections, initiative petitions, and making known the rules governing elections and electronic voting systems. - Voting and Elections at USA.gov
Find answers to common questions about voting in the United States - National Voter Education Week
National Voter Education Week (NVEW) is an open-source campaign to help voters bridge the gap between registering to vote and actually casting a ballot.
