Missouri voting issues

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Election and registration information

  • Polling Place Hours: 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.


Voter ID requirements

  • 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;
  • 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
  • Driver's license or state identification card issued by another state

Identification Required for Registration

  • If you register in person, you must present one of the following:
    • A copy of a birth certificate;
    • Native American tribal document;
    • Other proof of United States citizenship;
    • A valid Missouri drivers license;
    • Other form of personal identification.
  • If you have not previously voted in Missouri and you register to vote by mail, you are asked to send in a copy of one of the following with your voter registration application (this is marked as optional on the voter registration form):
    • Birth Certificate;
    • Native American tribal document;
    • Other proof of United States citizenship;
    • Current or valid photo ID;
    • Current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck;
    • Other government document that shows your name and address.

Provisional voting

Missouri does not count provisional ballots cast in the wrong precinct.

Main article: Provisional voting

Missouri voter bill of rights

Voter's Bill of Rights

  • As a registered Missouri voter, you have the right to[1]:
  1. Cast your ballot free from interference in a private and secret manner unless assistance is requested;
  2. View written instructions on how to obtain and cast a ballot;
  3. Ask for and receive further instructions from election judges concerning the manner of voting;
  4. View a sample ballot in the polling place before voting;
  5. Cast a vote if you are in line before the polls are closed at 7:00 PM (closing time at the polls);
  6. Ask for assistance from an election judge or person of your choice if you have any physical disability which hinders your ability to independently vote your ballot; cast your ballot on an accessible voting system (i.e. equipped with an audio ballot); or request curbside voting or a more accessible polling location if needed;
  7. Receive another ballot if your ballot is accidentally spoiled or you make an error;
  8. Vote by provisional ballot if your name is not on the precinct register and the election judges or election authority cannot determine your registration status;
  9. Vote by absentee ballot when permitted by law;
  10. Verify that the choices you made on the screen match the attached voter verifiable paper audit trail if you vote on a "touch screen" system; and
  11. File a grievance with the Secretary of State's office if your rights under the Help America Vote Act, Title III, have been violated.


Voting machines

2008 election

For the 2008 election Missouri used the following voting machines in addition to hand-counted paper ballots in some counties. For a county-by-county list of the specific machines (and the source for this section) see Verified Voting's Verifier tool.

Main article: Voting machines

Direct-Recording Electronic (DRE) machines with a paper trail:

Optical scan machines:

Assistive Devices for Marking Paper Ballots:

Governmental election authorities

Secretary of State: Robin Carnahan

Contact information:

  • Elections
  • James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center
  • PO Box 1767
  • Jefferson City, MO 65102-1767
  • Michael Bushman, Deputy Secretary of State For Elections.
  • Kay Dinolfo, Director of Elections.
  • Betsy Byers, Elections Outreach & Education Coordinator.


Election threats

Summary
  • On voter registration, Common Cause says there are preparedness problems.
  • On voter education, Common Cause warns that the state has a mixed result in their survey of preparedness.
  • On absentee and early voting, ... A mailer from the St. Louis City Democratic Party is causing voters to think that the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners has endorsed a candidate. McCain campaign accused of mailing invalid absentee ballot applications to Democrats.
  • On voter suppression and intimidation, Obama supporters report receiving text messages advising they should vote Wednesday to avoid lines. Common Cause says Missouri's preparation is "unsatisfactory."
  • On polling places and voting, (needs information)
  • On provisional ballots,... Common Cause warns that the system is "unsatisfactory."
  • On vote verification and security,... (needs information)
Main article: Missouri election threats


State and local non-governmental election organizations

League of Women Voters

LWV of Missouri, Ms. Jo Sapp, President

  • 8706 Manchester Road
  • Suite 104
  • St. Louis, MO 63144-2724
  • Phone: 314-961-6869
  • Fax 314-961-8393
  • Email: lwvmo@yahoo.com
  • Website: http://www.lwvmissouri.org/

Local Leagues:

Articles and resources

See also

Election law


References

  1. Missouri voter bill of rights from Secretary of State website.

External resources

Poll location

Election Protection hotlines

Voting information

Voting rights

Voting requirements

Election officials, election reform groups, and elected officials

Absentee voting

Disabled voters

Student voting rights

State ballot

  • See how organizations you trust recommend you vote on ballot measures and other statewide contests at TransparentDemocracy.

Languages

  • Help in other languages from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. 中文, 日本語, 한국어, Tagalog, Tiếng Việt, Español

Voting machines

Voter Protection Laws in A Nutshell

External articles