Voting by mail

Missouri has no mail-in ballot for everyone

Missouri law does not allow mail-in ballots for all voters.^[1] To vote by mail, you use an absentee ballot.^[1]

Who can get a ballot by mail

You can get an absentee ballot by mail if you have a reason the law allows.^[2] For example, you will be away from the county on Election Day, or you are sick or have a physical disability.^[2] The full list is on the absentee voting page.

Key dates for November 3, 2026

• The deadline to ask for a ballot by mail was 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21.^[3][4]
• If you asked in time, the county board must receive your voted ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day.^[5][7] Ballots that arrive later are not counted, except some military and overseas ballots.^[5]
• Drop boxes are not allowed.^[6]

Do not want to give a reason?

From October 20 through November 2, any registered voter can vote absentee in person with no reason needed.^[2][8] See Absentee and early in-person voting.