Vote Early And Often

Author’s note: HB 1878 is Missouri state law, so it applies regardless of your county of residence. Many of these resource links are for St. Louis City voters. St. Louis County residents can find specific voting information on the St. Louis County Board of Elections website or contact your local county election board for specific voting information.

The Federal election on November 5th is rapidly approaching. In the City of St. Louis, voters will have multiple ways to cast their ballots, which will hopefully increase voter turnout as the trend here is going in the wrong direction.

If you haven’t voted in a while, you may see some changes when you vote in this election. In 2022, the state of Missouri changed many of its election laws as part of a sweeping bill called HB 1878. 

Let’s break down the changes you will see at the polls… 

Note: in the following snippets from HB 1878, “LEA” stands for “local election authority” or, specifically for city voters, the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners. 

“ CHANGE OF ADDRESS FOR ALREADY REGISTERED VOTERS

The act permits a registered voter who has changed his or her residence within the state and has not been removed from the list of registered voters to file a change of address in person at the office of the LEA on election day. In order to change an address in person on election day, a registered voter shall provide a form of personal photo identification required to vote. The act makes corresponding modifications to law to allow for this change of address procedure. (Sections 115.135 and 115.165)”

This allows voters to update their address on election day at the board of election if they are currently registered elsewhere in the state of Missouri. In St. Louis, this is an essential detail since St. Louis City and St. Louis County are two separate election authorities that previously required voters to re-register with the election board in their new county.

“PAPER BALLOTS AND ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES

(Sections 115.225 and 115.237) The act prohibits the use of touchscreen direct-recording, electronic vote-counting machines beginning January 1, 2024. Beginning January 1, 2023, the official ballot shall be a paper ballot that is hand-marked by the voter or by the voter’s designee, unless such voter desires to use a ballot marking device as prescribed by law. (Section 115.237)”

Now, every voter will get a paper ballot and will no longer have the electronic option at the polls. A large number of voters have preferred paper ballots anyway. But with the city’s new print-on-demand voting equipment, each voter’s ballot will be printed after they check in to vote. 

In the polling locations, you may see what looks like an electronic voting machine, but that is special ADA equipment for those who require assistance in marking their ballot, such as viewing the text larger, hearing the ballot audibly, or assisting in marking the ballot. This machine prints a marked paper ballot that is then scanned with all the other ballots at the polling location.

If you voted in the Municipal election in the spring or the August Primary, you will already have seen this new equipment. Most importantly, as this new equipment is print-on-demand, city voters may now vote at ANY city polling location. This is new to city voters but was implemented in St. Louis County in 2020. Look up all the city polling locations here. 

“ABSENTEE VOTING – REASONS FOR VOTING

The act expands the use of absentee voting to members of the Space Force as well as their spouses and dependents. (Section 115.275) The act also allows persons who are employed as a first responder, health care worker, or member of law enforcement to vote absentee. (Section 115.277.3(7))”

Application-based absentee voting has always required a voter to sign an affidavit attesting to a valid reason to vote absentee. The Board of Election website lists all the details of those requirements. This changes the definition of first responders who are eligible to vote absentee, as well as members of the Space Force.

“NO-EXCUSE PERIOD

The act provides that beginning on the second Tuesday prior to an election, an excuse shall not be required for voting absentee in person. This provision contains a non-severability provision connecting it with the voter identification provision. (Section 115.277.1)”

Missouri voters who don’t qualify for application-based absentee voting now have the option to vote ahead of election day for any reason. During the last two weeks before election day, ANY voter can vote absentee in person without a qualifying excuse. City voters can vote in the no-excuse absentee period at seven of the city libraries and downtown at the Board of Election Commissioners. Times vary by location, so be sure to look for the most convenient location and make your plan to vote. This is an excellent option for any voter. Although it’s exciting to cast your ballot on election day, life can be unpredictable, so there’s no reason not to cast your vote early. You are also likely to encounter shorter lines during that early voting period.

A few closing thoughts…

Be prepared: This November ballot is long. Take the time to look up your sample ballot, which you can mark up and bring to the polls. The ballot includes federal and state offices, city ‘county’ offices, judges, and several amendments and propositions. General nonpartisan information on judges can be found at yourmissourijudges.org. There are also nonpartisan websites, such as Vote 411, where you can find helpful voter resources. 

You are allowed to bring notes, a marked-up sample ballot, or use your phone at the polling location for research. However,  photos of your ballot or inside the polling location are not allowed.

Know your rights: If you encounter an issue at check-in, you may be directed to the poll managers as they call the Board of Elections downtown to verify your registration. Everything on election day is run by bipartisan teams working together to enable the election to run as smoothly as possible. That’s why two judges are at every table, and poll managers represent both major parties. If they cannot resolve the issue, you can request a provisional ballot, which will be counted once your identity as a registered voter is verified. Don’t just leave the polling location. 

When you cast your ballot at the polling location, you will see the American flag image pop up on the scanner screen – and then you know your ballot is accepted. If your ballot does not scan, a bipartisan team of judges will assist you in identifying the issue and give you options to remedy it. Things like stray marks on your ballot outside of bubbles or marking both yes and no on an issue might cause issues. You can always request to ‘spoil’ your ballot and mark a new one that will scan without an issue. If you make a mistake at any point while marking your ballot, you can spoil it and request a new one.

For additional support, contact Election Protection at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683). This nonpartisan hotline, which is accessible to any voter who needs assistance, is staffed by attorneys who know state election laws. You can call to report an issue even if you have been able to vote; this will help provide visibility into any widespread issues.

Make your voting plan: Whether you choose to vote absentee, during the no-excuse early voting period, or on election day, remember that it’s a long ballot. In Missouri, polls are open from 6 AM to 7 PM on Tuesday, November 5. You have the right to vote if you‘re in line by 7 pm. As lines are expected, allow plenty of time, especially on election day. #makeyourvoiceheard