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Voting in your state

Voting in Missouri, 2026

Every date and deadline for the November 3 general election, from registering to the final certificate, and who signs off on the result.

Right nowElection Day in Missouri is Tuesday, November 3.Election Day in 7 days

Every date, in order

  1. Wed, Oct 7 · passed
    Registration deadline
    Received or postmarked by the fourth Wednesday before Election Day, Wednesday October 7, 2026.1
  2. Tue, Nov 3 · 7 days
    Election Day; Mail ballots must arrive
    Absentee ballots must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.1
  3. Tue, Nov 17 · 21 days
    County/Local canvass; County/Local certification
    Counties canvass by the second Tuesday after the election, November 17.2
  4. Tue, Dec 8 · 42 days
    State canvass; State certification
    The statewide canvass is due by Tuesday, December 8, 2026. The statewide canvass is complete by the second Tuesday in December, the 8th.2

Questions people ask about voting in Missouri

Q. Can I vote early in Missouri?

No-excuse in-person absentee voting runs from Tuesday, October 20 through 5:00 PM Monday November 2, 2026.

Q. When is the deadline to register to vote in Missouri?

Received or postmarked by the fourth Wednesday before Election Day, Wednesday October 7, 2026.

Q. What is the last day to request a mail ballot in Missouri?

Mailed absentee applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday October 21, 2026, and in-person applications by 5 p.m. on Monday November 2.

Q. When does my mail ballot have to arrive in Missouri?

Absentee ballots must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.

Q. Who certifies the election in Missouri, and by when?

Two options: 1. A county verification board--which consists of a four-member election commission--receives results and transmits to the Secretary or State. 2. In counties without an election commission, the county clerk with two judges from both major parties, tabulates the county canvass and sends it to the Secretary of State. Local results are due on the second Tuesday after the election, November 17, 2026. The State Board of Canvassers--which consists of the Secretary of State and two judges the Secretary of State appoints--prepares the statewide canvass and certifies the results; the Secretary of State then issues certificates to the winners. The board of state canvassers must issue its statement of results by the second Tuesday in December, December 8, 2026.

Q. What happens after the count in Missouri, and when is there a recount?

A candidate who loses by less than one half of one percent may request a state funded recount within 7 days after certification.

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Sources

  1. vote.org, https://www.vote.org/state/missouri/
  2. NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
  3. vote.org, http://vote.org/state/missouri/
  4. NASS, State Election Canvassing Timeframes and Recount Thresholds, https://www.nass.org/node/2455
  5. boltsmag.org, https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/who-counts-our-elections/
  6. NCSL, Election Certification Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines

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