Voting by mail in Missouri

Key dates

Steps

1. Check the excuse list on your state's site. Common ones: away on Election Day, illness or disability, 65 or older, work hours.
2. If you qualify, request now and include the reason exactly as the form asks.
3. If you don't qualify, look up early in-person voting. It's available in most excuse states.
4. When your ballot arrives, fill it out in blue or black ink and sign the envelope.
5. Return it the way your state requires and track it until it shows received.

Don't get rejected

• Extra step in your state: a notary must sign the envelope unless you qualify for the no-notary excuses (permanent disability, illness, or being 65+ isn't one; check the form). This is the #1 reason ballots get tossed where it applies.
• Sign the envelope. An unsigned envelope is the most common fixable mistake.
• Use the secrecy sleeve if one is included, then the return envelope. Don't tape anything.
• Keep the phone and email on your registration current. If there's a problem, that's how they reach you to fix it.