This year has brought a whirlwind of changes and challenges to the November General Election—specifically HOW you can cast your vote. You can vote in person, absentee, and now mail-in.
In a non-pandemic world, absentee voters must provide one of six reasons for voting absentee outlined by the Missouri Secretary of State.
A seventh absentee eligibility requirement has been added for the year 2020. Voters who are considered at-risk for contracting or transmitting COVID-19 can vote absentee. These are voters who:
– Are 65 years of age or older;
– Live in a long-term care facility licensed under Chapter 198, RSMo.;
– Have chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma;
– Have serious heart conditions;
– Are immunocompromised;
– Have diabetes;
– Have chronic kidney disease and are undergoing dialysis; or
– Have liver disease.
People who vote absentee due to coronavirus at-risk status can vote without ballot notarization.
Even if you are NOT within these at-risk categories, a provision has been made for all Missouri voters to safely cast their ballot during the pandemic. Due to COVID-19 all Missouri voters can vote by mail for the November 3 election. If you vote by mail in the November General Election, you must do one important thing.
You must get your mail-in ballot notarized.
State law requires absentee ballots to be notarized for free. But that same rule doesn’t apply to mail-in ballots. SB 631, which Governor Parson signed to allow mail-in ballots for the November 3, 2020 General Election, did not authorize free notarization for mail-in ballots (i.e., non-absentee ballots that are mailed in).
All voters may vote by mail, but if you choose to vote by mail, your ballot envelope most be notarized. And it might cost a fee.
Lest this possible fee be considered a poll tax, notaries across the state are volunteering to assist Missouri voters by notarizing mail-in or absentee ballots at no charge. The Secretary of State’s Office is compiling a list of these notaries. Find a notary for your mail-in or absentee ballot here. This online directory of free notary for mail-in or absentee ballots is updated regularly as notaries are volunteering.
Absentee vs. Mail-In Ballot: Let’s Look at a Few Examples
Herbert is 70 years old. He is over the age of 65 and is considered at-risk for COVID-19. Under the new absentee eligibility guidelines, Herbert can vote absentee in the November 3 General Election without a notary.
Brenda is 25 and working as an election worker on November 3. She can vote absentee but must have her ballot notarized. Brenda’s absentee ballot must be notarized for free according to Missouri state law.
Glendon is not eligible for absentee voting under the standard criteria or coronavirus at-risk criteria. However, he is a registered Missouri voter, and all registered Missouri voters can vote by mail in the General Election. A notary can charge Glendon a fee to notarize his ballot, but Glendon can find a notary who is volunteering their services free of charge for General Election ballots.
Let’s Recap
Every registered Missouri voter can vote by mail-in ballot, but their mail-in ballot envelope MUST be notarized before returning the ballot through the US mail. If you choose to vote by mail, you can find a notary who will notarize your mail-in ballot for free here.
If you are confined due to illness or are within the coronavirus at-risk categories, you eligible to vote absentee by mail WITHOUT getting the envelope notarized.
Be Sure to Request Your Ballot
Complete this form to request a Missouri absentee ballot. This application can be returned by mail or in-person at your local election authority. Absentee ballots may be turned in by mail or in person.
Complete this form to request Missouri mail–in ballot. This application for a mail in ballot can be return by mail or in-person at your local election authority. Be sure to find a notary for your ballot envelope. Your mail-in ballot must be returned through the U.S. mail with the envelope notarized for it to count.
All voted ballots must be received by Election Day in order to be counted.
For more information, on voting in Missouri see the Secretary of State website.
Register to Vote
You must be a registered voter to cast your ballot in the November General Election. Chances are, you are already registered to vote. If not, your voter registration must be postmarked by the fourth Wednesday before the election. The last day to register in the November 3 General Election is October 7, 2020. You can complete your voter registration online here.
Know What’s on the Ballot
Don’t forget to view the candidates and understand the issues on your ballot. You can find a sample ballot for your location here.
Voting In-Person Is Still an Option
If you plan to vote in person, simply show up to your polling place on November 3 between the polling hours of 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. with the proper ID, cast your ballot, and get your “I VOTED” sticker.
Regardless of how you vote this year—in-person, absentee, or mail-in—make sure you vote.