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2026 Elections
How to Vote in Missouri: 2026 Deadlines, Early Voting & Poll Hours
Everything you need to vote in Missouri for the November 3, 2026 general election — when to register, when early voting opens, how to vote by mail, and when polls close.
Rules as of September 17, 2026 · verify at Missouri's official election site
Election Day
November 3, 2026
Quick Answer
- Register By
- ≈ Oct 7, 2026 (27 days before Election Day)
- Early Voting
- Opens ≈ Oct 20, 2026
- Mail Ballot Request By
- 2nd Wednesday before Election Day (mail); day before at 5 p.m. (in-person)
- Polls Close
- 7 p.m. CT
- Election Day
- November 3, 2026
Build your Missouri voting plan
Choose how you plan to vote and we'll narrow the checklist below to the steps and dates that apply to you.
- 1
Oct 7, 2026
- 2
Oct 7, 2026
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≈ Oct 20, 2026
approximate
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See rule
- 5
Nov 3, 2026
What's on Your Missouri Ballot
Every U.S. House seat is up for election every two years. Whether a U.S. Senate seat is also on the ballot depends on the state.
U.S. House of Representatives
All of Missouri's U.S. House seats are on the 2026 ballot. View Missouri's current delegation →
U.S. Senate
Not this cycleMissouri has no U.S. Senate race in 2026. Senate seats rotate on a six-year cycle across three classes. Learn how Senate classes work →
Find your Missouri representative and senators
Enter your address to see exactly who represents you before you vote.
Voter Registration in Missouri
To vote in the November 3, 2026 general election, register by ≈ October 7, 2026 — 27 days before Election Day.
Dates marked ≈ are computed from state statute and can shift with county practice. Confirm your exact deadline and check your registration status at Missouri's official site.
Early Voting in Missouri
Early voting opens ≈ October 20, 2026 — Second Tuesday before Election Day. It runs through Day before Election Day.
No-excuse in-person absentee.
Confirm exact locations and hours — which vary by county — at Missouri's official election site.
Voting by Mail in Missouri
Missouri requires a qualifying excuse to vote by mail. Request deadline: 2nd Wednesday before Election Day (mail); day before at 5 p.m. (in-person).
Return rule: Must be received by close of polls on Election Day
Missouri runs two parallel programs: an excuse-required "absentee ballot" (described here, Mo. Rev. Stat. § 115.277) and a separate no-excuse, notarized "mail-in ballot" created by 2022’s HB 1878. A voter without a qualifying excuse should check Missouri’s own site for the mail-in option before assuming they are ineligible.
Details and request forms are at Missouri's official election site.
Voter ID Requirements in Missouri
A photo ID is requested, but a voter without one can still cast a ballot that counts without a later trip back — for example by signing an affidavit or having a provisional ballot verified some other way.
Corrected during this file’s construction — an earlier AI-summarized read misplaced Missouri in the no-ID group. The raw NCSL table lists Missouri under Non-Strict Photo ID (Mo. Const. Art. VIII, § 11; Mo. Rev. Stat. § 115.427): nonexpired Missouri driver’s license, nonexpired non-driver license, U.S. passport, military photo ID, or another government-issued photo ID.
See the full list of accepted ID at Missouri's official election site.
Poll Hours in Missouri
Polls are open until 7 p.m. CT on November 3, 2026.
See how Missouri's closing time compares nationwide on the full poll closing times by state page, or confirm your local hours at Missouri's official election site.
Live on Congress Countdown
Live countdown to Election Day — and every date in between
Registration deadlines, early voting, and the full 2026 election calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline to register to vote in Missouri?
Online, the deadline is approximately October 7, 2026 (27 days before Election Day). Always confirm the exact date at https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/register.
Can I vote early in person in Missouri?
Yes. Early voting opens around October 20, 2026 (Second Tuesday before Election Day) and runs through Day before Election Day.
Do I need ID to vote in Missouri?
A photo ID is requested, but a voter without one can still cast a ballot that counts without a later trip back — for example by signing an affidavit or having a provisional ballot verified some other way.
When do polls close in Missouri?
Polls close 7 p.m. CT on November 3, 2026.
How do I vote by mail in Missouri?
Request a ballot (an excuse is required) — 2nd Wednesday before Election Day (mail); day before at 5 p.m. (in-person). Must be received by close of polls on Election Day
What if I miss Missouri's registration deadline?
Missouri does not offer same-day registration, so missing the deadline means you cannot vote in this election. Register early for next time at https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/register.