Don't Forget to Vote

        Brenda Procter, State Consumer and Family Economics Specialist; University of Missouri Extension

        No system is perfect, and Missouri's electoral process is no exception. Debates about voting can be contentious and partisan. The public nature of those debates has created some misconceptions about voting and the rights of voters in Missouri.

        Registering to Vote in MissouriIn order to register to vote, you must these criteria:

        * be a citizen of the United States* be at least 17?years of age* be a resident of Missouri and a specific county* have finished serving your entire sentence, including probation and/or parole, if you have committed a felony unrelated to voter fraud

        There are no minimum residency requirements, but you must be registered on the 4th Wednesday prior to an election to vote in that election. Your County Clerk's Office can give you specific deadline dates for each election. You can find contact information for your local County Clerk office or election official at http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/countyclerks.asp.

        Missourians can register to vote by filling out the Missouri Voter Registration Application:

        * at the office of the local election authority (see http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/register2vote/ and select your county for an application that includes your local election authority's address)* at any Department of Motor Vehicles office (see http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/offloc/ to find your local Department of Motor Vehicles office) providing a service to the public (WIC, Social Services, etc.)* by requesting that a Voter Registration Application card be sent to you (see https://www.sos.mo.gov/firstvote/students/request.asp to request one online or contact your local election authority)

        Helping Others Register to VoteMany community groups engage in voter registration campaigns. You can fill out a voter registration application for anyone who meets the necessary criteria. It must be delivered to the local election authority within 7 days of the date on the application.

        Anyone who gets paid or otherwise compensated (not a volunteer) for collecting 10 or more voter registration applications in one general election cycle is required to complete a Voter Registration Solicitor Form and submit it to the Secretary of State's office. Failure to register as a “voter registration solicitor?if required is a class three election offense. To be a voter registration solicitor, you must be at least 18 years old and registered to vote in Missouri.

        See http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/Voter_Registration_Solicitors.pdf for the voter registration solicitor form. It can be mailed or faxed to:

        Elections DivisionP.O. Box 1767Jefferson City, MO 65102Fax 573-526-3242

        Voter's Bill of RightsAs a registered Missouri voter, according to the Missouri Secretary of State, you have the right to:

        * cast your ballot free from interference in a private and secret way unless you request assistance* view written instructions on how to get and cast a ballot* ask for and receive further instructions from election judges concerning the manner of voting* view a sample ballot in the polling place before voting* cast a vote if you are in line before the polls close at 7:00 PM, the legal closing time at the polls* ask for assistance from an election judge or person of your choice if you have any physical disability that hinders your ability to independently cast your ballot* cast your ballot on an accessible voting system (i.e. equipped with an audio ballot)* request curbside voting or a more accessible polling location if you need one* receive another ballot if you accidentally spoil your ballot or if you make an error* 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* vote by absentee ballot when permitted by law* 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* file a grievance with the Secretary of State's office if your rights under the Help America Vote Act, Title III, have been violated

        If you believe your voting rights have been violated, contact the Missouri Office of the Secretary of State at (800) 669-8683 or the U.S. Department of Justice at (800) 253-3931.

        Are Photo IDs Required to Vote?On October 16, 2006, Missouri's Supreme Court struck down a law that would have required all voters to show a State-issued photo ID card before voting, citing the law's disproportionate burden on the poor. The late ruling, coming less than three weeks before the 2006 election, created obstacles for some Missouri voters, including Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, who was asked for a drivers license at the polls. Many poll workers mistakenly thought the law was still in effect.

        This year, an effort to pass another Missouri photo ID law was bolstered by a United States Supreme Court ruling upholding a 2005 Indiana law requiring voters to show government-issued photo identification before voting. The new Missouri measure failed when the 2008 legislative session ended before backers could get it through the legislature.

        Proponents of photo ID laws claim that they are necessary to address voter fraud. Opponents say that voter fraud is extremely rare and claim the law is intended to create obstacles to voting. The debate will continue in Missouri.

        In order to vote, if you have voted before, you must have one of the following types of identification:

        * a Voter ID card (sent by the County Clerk)* a drivers license from any state* an ID card from a state agency, including public universities* a WIC card* a birth certificate* an ID Card from a public institution within Missouri, including a student ID card* a Passport, Medicaid card, Social Security Card or other card issued by the Federal Government* a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck showing your name and address

        If you are registered but have never voted before, you will need one of the following types of identification:

        * a copy of a valid photo ID* a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck showing your current name and address

        Absentee VotingIf you cannot come to the polls to vote, you can register to vote absentee by mailing in your ballot prior to the election. You can vote absentee if any of the following issues apply to you:

        * you are temporarily absent from the county on election day* your religious beliefs prevent you from coming out to vote that day* you are absent due to military service* you are incarcerated but still eligible to vote* you are confined due to illness or physical disability

        Voting Services for Elderly, Disabled and Handicapped VotersIf you are unable to get to the polls, you may register to vote by mail or request that a deputy come to your home to register you. If your polling place is inaccessible:

        * you may request an accessible polling place by calling the registrar before election day* you may vote absentee* and your disability or illness is permanent, you may sign up for the permanent absentee application list to get a ballot delivered to your home by a bi-partisan election team before each election

        If you are blind:

        * you may have someone of your choosing accompany you to the poll* you may have a member of the bipartisan election team read and mark your ballot for you* voting supplies can be brought to your car if you are unable to make it into the polling place