Voting by Mail Options for 2020 Elections
In June 2020, Senate Bill 631 was officially signed by Governor Parson, expanding options for voters in 2020 and creating two ways to vote by mail:
Absentee ballots: Voters may request an absentee ballot if they have or are at-risk for contracting or transmitting COVID-19. This includes voters that are:
- Age 65 or older;
- Living in a long term care facility;
- Have chronic lung disease/asthma;
- Have a serious heart condition;
- Are immunocompromised;
- Have diabetes;
- Have chronic kidney disease and undergoing dialysis; or
- Have liver disease.
More information is available from the Missouri Secretary of State's Office at https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/ElectionGoVoteMissouri/2020VotingOptions.pdf
Absentee voters that are at-risk for contracting or transmitting COVID-19 excuse or incapacitated or confined due to illness or injury (or a caregiver of someone that is incapacitated or confined) do NOT need their ballot envelopes notarized. Voters can return their absentee ballots by mail or in person (you will need to show your ID when bringing it by in person), including curbside drop off at our office. Voters can request an absentee ballot online on our absentee page.
Mail-in ballots (Not the same as a mailed absentee ballot): Any voter can request a mail-in ballot in person or by mail. Voters that choose a mail-in ballot must have their ballot envelope notarized and must return their ballot by mail only. The mail-in ballot application is available as a PDF and can be mailed to the Boone County Clerk's Office, attn: Mail-in Ballot, 801 E. Walnut, Room 236, Columbia MO 65201 or brought in person.
Whether you plan to vote by absentee or mail-in ballot, the deadline to apply for a mailed ballot is 5pm on October 21st. All ballots must be received in the Boone County Clerk's Office by 7pm on Election Day.
