Voter Guide Part I: Important Info and Dates

By Abigail Ruhman

Published on Oct. 2, 2020

We believe voter education is vital, so, leading up to the November 3rd election, we are going to provide you with information about different parts of the voting process as a way to increase understanding and awareness of when and how to vote. We will also discuss the history of voter suppression, the importance of local elections, knowing your rights and what to do to prepare for Election Day and the emotional importance of voting in this moment. 

First up:

Need-to-Know Guide for Voters (Part 1)

Important dates (when absentee ballots are due, debate nights, etc.)

Every state (except North Dakota) requires people to register if they want to vote. Some states “purge” voters who haven’t voted in a while, so it’s a good idea to make sure that you are registered to vote prior to the registration deadline (click here to check if you are still registered).

To see if what other state’s registration dates are, click here. If you have any questions or concerns about the election process for a specific location, click here to search for the state or territory’s election office for more details.

 

Am I registered? Click here to find out

Want to register? Click here

Where is my polling location? Click here to find out

What counts as a valid form of ID for my state? Click here to find out

Want to request an absentee or mail-in ballot? Click here

Need to contact election officials for a specific place? Click here to search

Want to become a Poll Worker? Click here

 

Voter Dates: (All dates are Missouri, but links provided to resources for other States)

  1. Register to Vote
    1. Online: Oct. 7
    2. By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 7
    3. In person: Oct. 7
  2. Request Mail in or Absentee ballot

            Which Should I Request? Do I need to do anything special?

    1. Absentee ballot dates (Click here for Missouri’s mail-in or absentee ballot request form):
      1. Request: Your local election authority must receive it by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 
      2. Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.
    2. Only certain people can request an absentee ballot (For Missouri, this means you have to fall into one of the categories below)
      1. (NOTARY REQUIRED FOR BALLOT UNLESS SPECIFICALLY NOTED BELOW)
        1. Absence on Election Day from the jurisdiction of the election authority in which I am registered
        2. Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability, including caring for a person who is incapacitated or confined due to illness or disability. (No Notary Required)
        3. Religious belief or practice
        4. Employment as an election authority or by an election authority at a location other than my polling place
        5. Incarceration, although you have retained all the necessary qualifications for voting
        6. Certified participation in the address confidentiality program established under sections 589.660 to 589.681, RSMo.,because of safety concerns
        7. You have contracted or am in an at-risk category for contracting or transmitting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19), pursuant to Section 115.277.6, RSMo. (No Notary Required)
          1. At-risk voters are individuals who:
            1. Are 65 years of age or older
            2. Live in a long-term care facility licensed under Chapter 198, RSMo.
            3. Have serious heart conditions
            4. Have chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
            5. Are immunocompromised
            6. Have chronic kidney disease and are undergoing dialysis
            7. Have liver disease
            8. Have diabetes
    3. Mail-in dates: (Any registered voter can request a mail-in ballot)
      1. Request: Your local election authority must receive it by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2020
      2. Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.
      3. Return in person: Nov. 3 by 7:00 p.m.
      4. If selecting this option, this form must be delivered to your local election authority in person or by mail only.
  2. Elections Day: Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020. If you are planning to vote in person, but do not know your polling location or you would like to check, click here.
  3. While Missouri may not offer early voting, click here to find which states do and when that process begins/ends.

Note: Missouri offers early voting for absentee voters only: Began September 22

 

Upcoming Debate Dates: (All Times are central)

(Click here to find out how/where to watch the future debates or watch past debates — C-SPAN)

  1. Wednesday, October 7th, Vice Presidential Debate (8:00 PM – 9:30 PM)
  2. Thursday, October 15th, Second Presidential Debate (8:00 PM – 9:30 PM)
  3. Thursday, October 22nd, Third Presidential Debate (8:00 PM – 9:30 PM)

 

Look out for Part 2 of our Voter Need-to-Know Guide on Monday Oct 5. We will provide information on how to fill out a ballot, how to research the people and legislation on the ballot, how to stay safe while voting, etc.