Kansas City area to choose mayors, school boards April 7. Here’s how to vote early
Residents in Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit and Grandview will soon take to the polls to decide their mayors, school boards and the future of their tax dollars.
Missouri’s municipal elections will be held Tuesday, April 7, and polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
If you’re out of town for the municipal elections in Missouri, or just want to free up your Tuesday, you can cast a ballot from Tuesday, March 23, until Election Day.
No matter if you’re a Democrat, Republican or part of another party, here is what you need to know about early voting around the Kansas City area.
What’s on the ballot?
Voters will cast their ballots on a variety of issues, including a Kansas City earnings tax; mayors in Independence, Lee’s Summit, Grandview and Grain Valley; and school boards in Park Hill, Center, Hickman Mills and Blue Springs.
Follow The Star’s election coverage on the KansasCity.com elections section.
To check your sample ballot, go to the Missouri Secretary of State’s website.
When does early voting start?
In Missouri, no-excuses in-person early voting starts Tuesday, March 23. People with an approved excuse like illness, disability, work or travel can vote six weeks before the election.
Where are the early voting locations?
Kansas City: Jackson County voters living in Kansas City have seven early voting locations to choose from. Most are open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 4, from 8 a.m. to noon.
- Kansas City Election Board absentee office, 4405 E. 50th Terrace, opens at 8 a.m. on weekdays
- Fellowship Right Baptist Church, 4700 Pittman Road
- Garrison Community Center, 1124 E. 5th St., closed on Saturday, April 4
- Mount Christian Worship Center, 1800 E. 79th St.
- Palestine Senior Center, 3325 Prospect Ave.
- Second Presbyterian Church, 318 E. 55th St.
- United Believers Community Church, 5600 E. 112th Terrace
Jackson County: The Jackson County Election board has two early voting locations for residents of Jackson County who live outside of Kansas City. Both are open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday, March 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Jackson County Election Board absentee office, 110 N. Liberty St., Independence, also open Saturday, April 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Woods Chapel Community of Christ, 500 NE Woods Chapel Road, Lee’s Summit
Clay County: All Clay County voters (including those in Kansas City) can vote at the Clay County Election Board office, 100 W. Mississippi St., Liberty. It is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, April 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Platte County: Voters can cast their ballot early at the Platte County Board of Elections office, 2600 NW Prairie View Road, Platte City. The office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What ID do I need to vote in Missouri?
Registered Missouri voters will need a current or recently expired photo ID issued by the federal or Missouri governments. IDs from other states are not accepted. Usable forms of photo ID for Missouri include:
- A Missouri driver’s license or a state ID that is current or expired after Nov. 5, 2024
- A non-expired military ID, including a veteran or dependant ID card that is current or expired after Nov. 5, 2024
- A U.S. passport or another form of photo ID issued by the U.S. government or the state of Missouri that is current or expired after Nov. 5, 2024
If you don’t have one of these forms of identification but registered to vote in Missouri before March 11, you can cast a provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot will count if the signature on your provisional ballot envelope is determined by your local election authority to match the signature on your voter registration record or you return to your polling place on Election Day with a photo ID.
How do I reach my election office?
If you have questions about voting eligibility, accessibility, registration or locations, contact your local election board.
- Kansas City Election Board (Kansas City residents in Jackson County): 816-842-4820
- Jackson County Election Board (rest of Jackson County, like Raytown or Independence): 816-325-4600
- Clay County Board of Election Commissioners (all of Clay County): 816-415-8683
- Platte County Board of Elections: 816-858-4400
This story was originally published March 23, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
