Here’s how and where to register to vote in KS and MO, plus voter qualifications
National Voter Registration Day — an annual celebration of voter participation in our democracy — marks its eleventh anniversary on Tuesday. The holiday is part of a nonpartisan initiative to get as many eligible voters registered as possible in time for November’s election season.
Here’s what you need to know.
How do I register to vote for the first time?
In Missouri, you can register online, register in person at your election office, print and mail a paper application to your election office or request a paper application be mailed to you.
A quick note about finding your KC election office: The Kansas City Election Board oversees elections for Kansas City residents who live south of the river, and the Jackson County Election Board manages elections for residents in Jackson County who live outside of Kansas City — think Independence or Raytown. The Platte County Board of Elections and the Clay County Board of Election Commissioners cover everything north of the river.
You can also ask someone at your library branch to help you register to vote.
In Kansas, you can register online if you have a Kansas driver’s license or non-driving ID card. If you don’t have one, you can print and mail a paper registration application. The addresses of each county’s election office are listed on the second page.
If you prefer to register in person, you can visit one of the many registration sites in your county — here’s the list for Johnson County and the list for Wyandotte County.
I recently moved or changed my name. How do I update my registration?
In Missouri, you can update your name with an election judge at your polling place on Election Day. You can vote in one election under your old name, but then you have to send in a new voter registration application with your new name.
You can also update your address on Election Day if you moved to a new address within the same county and your old registration is still active.
If you moved to a new county, moved to Missouri from out of state or if your registration at your old address was removed from the voter rolls, you have to send in a new registration application.
In Kansas, you have to complete the voter registration application every time you move.
What do I need in order to register to vote?
Both states only require prospective voters to provide their full name, date of birth and address of residence when registering to vote.
In Missouri, you may be asked to provide a driver’s license number and/or a Social Security number on your registration application. However, both of these are optional. If you don’t have a driver’s license or a Social Security number, leave these fields blank.
In Kansas, you must have a Kansas driver’s license or non-driving ID to register online. If you have an out-of-state ID or no ID, you have to fill out a paper application as described above and provide the last four digits of your Social Security number if you have one. If you don’t have one, you can write “none.”
You may also be given the option to affiliate yourself with a political party.
You have to be at least 18 years old at the next election, a resident and a U.S. citizen to vote.
Do you have more questions about registering to vote in Missouri or Kansas? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published September 14, 2023 at 10:42 AM with the headline "Here’s how and where to register to vote in KS and MO, plus voter qualifications."
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