The August primary election will give Missouri voters the chance to decide if the state should expand Medicaid.
Across the state line, Kansas voters will weigh in on their party’s nominee for the hotly-contested Senate race.
As the election draws closer, here’s what you need to know about your voting options in a pandemic.
So when is the last day to register to vote?
For the August primary, the last day for voter registration in Missouri is July 8.
In Kansas, the deadline for registration is July 14.
I’m worried about voting on election day. Can I mail in my ballot?
In Kansas, any voter can request a mail-in ballot or ask to vote in person before the election. You have until July 28 to request a mail ballot.
Any Missouri voter can request a mail-in ballot by 5 p.m. July 22. Unlike Kansas, your ballot needs to be notarized. If that sounds like a hassle, you can see if you’re eligible for an absentee ballot which might not require you to find a notary.
So how do I get an absentee ballot?
You can request an absentee ballot if you’ve contracted the coronavirus or if you’re at risk for getting the virus. At-risk voters include people who are 65 or older, have a compromised immune system, live in a long-term care facility or have diabetes. The full list of exceptions is listed here.
What’s the deadline for mailing in my ballot?
In Missouri, your local election authority has to get your ballot by 7 p.m. on election day.
Kansas voters should have their ballot postmarked on or before August 4.
