Get out the vote
Vote absentee for the August 4 primary.
You don't have to wait for Election Day. Missouri makes it easy to vote early — and the easiest way to make sure your voice is heard is to make a plan now. Here's every option, every deadline, and every step so your ballot counts.
To vote in the Republican primary, request the Republican ballot. Missouri's August primary is partisan — you choose one party's ballot for this election only. It does not change your registration.
Dates, deadlines, and sites below reflect Missouri law and the St. Louis County and St. Charles County election authorities — rules can change, so always confirm with your election authority or the Missouri Secretary of State before you rely on a date.
The dates that matter
| What | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Register to vote | Wed, July 8, 2026 |
| Excuse-based absentee opens | ~June 23, 2026 (open now) |
| By-mail application must be RECEIVED | 5:00 p.m. Wed, July 22, 2026 |
| No-excuse early in-person voting | ~July 21 – Aug 3, 2026 |
| Voted ballot must be RECEIVED | 7:00 p.m. Tue, Aug 4, 2026 |
| Election Day (polls 6 a.m.–7 p.m.) | Tue, Aug 4, 2026 |
⚠️ Mailed ballots count by receipt, not postmark. Mail it about a week early or hand-deliver it. Missouri does not allow ballot drop boxes.
Pick the option that fits you
1 — Vote early, in person
Easiest — no reason, no notary
The simplest path for most people. ~July 21 – Aug 3 (ends 5 p.m. Mon, Aug 3). Bring a valid photo ID — that's it. No application, no excuse, no notary. Walk in, vote, done.
2 — Absentee by mail
Needs a reason
Apply by 5 p.m. Wed, July 22. Your ballot arrives by mail. For reasons #1, #3, and #4 the return envelope must be notarized (it's free) — don't sign until you're in front of the notary. Return so it arrives by 7 p.m. Aug 4.
3 — Absentee in person
A clerk witnesses — no notary
Same six reasons as Option 2, but you vote in person at the Board of Elections, so a clerk witnesses it and no notary is needed. Open from about six weeks before the election through the day before.
Do you qualify to vote by mail?
You qualify if one of these is true on Election Day:
- You'll be absent from your county
- Illness or disability — yours, or someone you care for at your address
- Religious belief or practice
- Election work, first responder, health care worker, or law enforcement
- Incarceration (with voting rights retained)
- Certified Safe at Home (address confidentiality) participant
Notary check: reasons #2 (illness/disability), #5 (incarceration), and #6 (Safe at Home) are notary-exempt — as are permanently disabled and covered military/overseas voters. Reasons #1, #3, and #4 generally require a notarized return envelope (free — banks, libraries, and credit unions often do it). Notary rules have specific exemptions and have changed in recent years, so confirm your situation with your county election authority. If you'd rather skip the notary entirely, vote no-excuse in person (July 21–Aug 3) instead — but if you do, don't also return a mailed ballot. Vote once, one way.
After you apply — don't stop here
Submitting the application is not the same as voting. Here's the full arc:
- The election authority mails your ballot.
- You mark it.
- You notarize the return envelope if your reason requires it.
- You return it so it arrives by 7 p.m. on Aug 4.
Prefer paper? Print the request form
You can apply online, but if you'd rather fill it out by hand, print the official Missouri Secretary of State Request for Missouri Absentee Ballot form, complete it, and mail or hand-deliver it to your election authority so it arrives by 5 p.m. Wed, July 22.
No printer? Print it at any St. Louis County Library. Use the library's mobile printing — cardholders get $5 in printing free each month, and it works at every branch:
- Save the PDF, then open the library print center at mobileprint.slcl.org/myprintcenter.
- Upload the form and submit it to the print queue.
- Release and pick it up at the print station in any St. Louis County Library branch (sign in with your library card, or ask staff for help).
- Fill it out, sign it, and mail or hand-deliver it to your election authority by the July 22 deadline.
Acceptable photo ID
- Non-expired Missouri driver's or non-driver license
- U.S. passport
- Military or veteran ID
- Other U.S. or Missouri government photo ID (not expired, or expired after 11/5/2024)
- No ID? Get a free non-driver ID — call 573-526-8683.
Your election authority
St. Louis County Board of Elections
725 Northwest Plaza Dr, St. Ann, MO 63074
314.615.1833 / RelayMO 711
St. Charles County Election Authority
397 Turner Blvd, St. Peters, MO 63376
sccmo.org (search “Absentee Voting”)
Not sure which county you're in? Check your registration and find your local election authority at sos.mo.gov.
Every vote for Matt Grant starts with a plan.
Missouri voting rules & absentee →Back to Make your plan to voteThis is educational voting information based on Missouri law and the St. Louis County and St. Charles County election authorities. Rules can change — always confirm with your election authority. The voting process applies to all voters regardless of candidate preference. For the official Missouri voting rules, see sos.mo.gov. Paid for by Matt Grant for Congress.
