For voters who want to avoid Election Day lines or fit voting into a busy schedule, early voting offers a chance to cast a ballot in person before the polls open Nov. 3. In Platte County, any registered voter can do so beginning Oct. 20 without providing a reason.
Early voting will continue through 5 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Platte County Board of Elections, 2600 NW Prairie View Road in Platte City.
Regular voting hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office will remain open until 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Tuesday, Oct. 27. Saturday voting will be available from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 24 and Oct. 31.
Absentee voting for people with a qualifying reason is already available in person and by mail. Missouri’s absentee voting period begins six weeks before an election, with a qualifying reason required during the first four weeks. The final two weeks allow any registered voter to vote absentee in person without an excuse.
Chris Hershey, director of the Platte County Board of Elections, said 4.6% of voters cast ballots early in the August primary.
In the November 2024 election, more than 23,000 people voted absentee, including during the two-week no-excuse absentee voting period. That represented more than 32% of Platte County’s active registered voters, meaning nearly one-third had already cast their ballots before Election Day.
“We don’t really hear reasons for voting during the no excuse period. I would guess they all fall under convenience though,” Hershey said. “Even when the line is long, it moves pretty quickly and I think a lot of people like to get it done early. We like for people to take advantage of early voting because it takes some of the pressure off our poll workers on Election Day.”
Qualifying reasons include being outside the voter’s election jurisdiction on Election Day; illness or physical disability, including serving as the primary caregiver for someone with an illness or disability who lives at the same address; religious beliefs or practices; qualifying employment as an election worker, first responder, health care worker or law enforcement officer; incarceration while retaining voting qualifications; or certified participation in the state’s address confidentiality program.
Voters requesting a ballot by mail must provide a qualifying reason, even during the no-excuse voting period. Requests may be submitted to the Board of Elections in person, by mail, fax or email and must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21. That deadline applies to requests for a mailed ballot, not the return of completed ballots. Completed absentee ballots must reach the election authority by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters casting an absentee ballot in person should bring an acceptable photo ID, such as a Missouri driver’s or nondriver’s license, U.S. passport or military ID. Certain IDs that expired after the most recent general election are also accepted. Physical documents must be presented, not an electronic version of identification.
Registered voters without an acceptable photo ID may cast a provisional ballot. For an absentee provisional ballot to count, the voter may return to the election office on Election Day with an acceptable photo ID, or election officials must determine that the signature on the ballot envelope matches the voter’s registration record.
For more information, to obtain an absentee ballot application, or to see what is on the ballot, visit plattecountymovotes.gov or call 816-858-4400. The office also accepts ballot requests by fax at 816-858-3387 or email at platte@sos.mo.gov.
