![VOTE Aug. 6](https://my.lwv.org/sites/default/files/leagues/demo-site/votehorizontalimage.png)
Voting - The Basics
Who can vote?
- 17.5 years of age to register, 18 years of age to vote
- US Citizen
- Missouri Resident
When is the election and Where should I go?
Primary Election - August 6
General Election - November 5
![important dates for August 6 election](https://my.lwv.org/sites/default/files/styles/panopoly_image_original/public/leagues/wysiwyg/Missouri/important_dates.png?itok=VUK-5Myw)
The most common St. Louis Metro election authorities are linked below in the What is on my ballot? section.
Want to add the election dates to your digital calendar? Use this Digital Calendar Download to add the election dates to your phone or computer calendar.
How do I vote?
There are three ways to make your voice heard with your ballot!
- Find your polling location from the local election authorities (linked below in the "What is on my ballot?" section).
- Grab an acceptable form of ID.
- You may cast a provisional ballot is you do not have an ID with you. A signature match will determing if the vote counts
- Arrive between 6am and 7pm on Election Day
- You are entitled to 3 hours of paid leave to vote if your working hours do not allow 3 consecutive hours when the polls are open before or after work. Time off must be requested before election day and your employer may choose which hours you can take off. (Source: Missouri Law)
- For rides to the polls contact A Philip Randolph at 314-562-0411
- Check-in and receive your ballot from the poll workers.
- VOTE!
Note: Accessible voting options should be available at polling locations.
- Find where in person absentee voting is happening through your local election authority (Links below in the "What is on my ballot?" section).
- Grab an acceptable form of ID
- i. You will NOT be able to cast a provisional ballot during in-person absentee voting.
- Work with your absentee polling location staff to fill out necessary forms there and cast your ballot.
- Request an absentee ballot from your local election authority
- Fill out out an absentee ballot request form. You must choose an excuse.
- Send it to the address or fax number for your local election authority.
- Request forms should be sent early to ensure your ballot arrives to you and then back to the election authority before the polls close on election day.
- Receive your ballot in the mail and fill it out.
- If you registered by mail and have NOT voted in person you will need to include a copy of an acceptable form of ID
- Get your ballot notarized, unless your excuse is physically disabled or incapacitated due to illness, or if you are a caregiver for a disabled person.
- You can typically find notaries at banks, post offices/mail service businesses, and libraries.
- You should never be charged for getting an absentee ballot notarized.
- Return your completed and notarized ballot back to your local election authority. It can be mailed or returned in-person by a close relative.
What is on my ballot?
Two weeks before the election the League of Women Voters will publish a non-partisan Voter Guide for the candidates on the ballot including responses to questionnaires and explanations of issues. You can also find sample ballot and election information at Vote 411
Want to spread the word about elections and voting?
Use the League of Women Voters GOTV Toolkit to share voting/election information with your groups and circles. Updates for the toolkit will be available in early June - the start of an 8 week GOTV campaign.
In our GOTV toolkit you will find flyers, graphics for media, posters, bookmarks, information sheets, and brochures for you to share. In the toolkit you will find an LWVSTL August 2024 GOTV campaign calendar to help you run your own GOTV campaign. Info includes: Every voter, Why Vote? , Issues, Young voters, Disabled voters/senior adult voters, Formally-incarcerated voters, Spanish speaking voters and Moving?