The 5-Step Voting Plan for Platte County Democrats

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DEADLINE: ASAP

Confirm You Have an Acceptable photo ID

Does your photo ID list your current name and address? Has it expired? Acceptable forms of ID for voting in Missouri include the following.

  • Nonexpired Missouri driver or non-driver license. (Licenses that expired after the most recent general election are okay). Note: The Missouri Department of Revenue will provide a free nondriver license to Missourians who need a photo ID for voting purposes. See the second button below for details.
  • Nonexpired active military ID or veteran’s ID card.
  • Nonexpired US passport.
  • Nonexpired IDs issued by the US or Missouri government. (IDs expired after the most recent general election are okay).

If you do not possess any of these IDs by Election Day, all is not lost if you are a registered voter (see Step 2). You are entitled under Federal law to request a “provisional ballot.” It will be counted if you return it to your polling place on Election Day and the signature on your provisional ballot envelope is determined by your local election authority to match the signature on your voter registration record. Those who cast provisional ballots are given a stub with instructions on how to verify that your ballot has been counted.

update your missOuri PHOTO ID
LEARN MORE ABOUT FREE IDS

DEADLINE: OCTOBER 9

check status
or register to vote

Are you (still) listed on the Platte County voter rolls as an eligible voter? With the correct name and address? It only takes a minute to find out.

REGISTERED VOTER: Check and update your registration status, especially if you haven’t voted in the last couple of elections or if you’ve changed your address or your name.

Check registration status

NEW REGISTRATION: To vote in Platte County, you must be a US citizen, a Missouri resident, and 18 years old by election day. You will need an acceptable photo ID that matches your name and address. (See Step 1.)

register to vote

DEADLINES: SEE BELOW

plan When & Where To Vote:

Plan to Vote Absentee

If you know you won’t be able to vote in person on Election Day for any of the reasons listed below, you may request an absentee ballot from the Platte County Board of Elections starting 8:00 am September 24. Acceptable reasons:

  1. Absence on Election Day from the jurisdiction of the election authority in which such voter is registered to vote;
  2. Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability on election day, including a person who is primarily responsible for the physical care of a person who is incapacitated or confined due to illness or disability and resides at the same address; 
  3. Religious belief or practice;
  4. Employment as an election authority or by an election authority at a location other than such voter’s polling place, a first responder, a health care worker, or a member of law enforcement;
  5. Incarceration, provided all qualifications for voting are retained.
  6. Certified participation in the address confidentiality program established under sections 589.660 to 589.681 because of safety concerns.

DEADLINES: Do you want your absentee ballot to be mailed to you or do you want to pick it up in person? Each has a different deadline.

  • To request an absentee ballot to be mailed to you: 5:00 pm October 23.
  • To pick up an absentee ballot from the Platte County Board of Elections: 5:00 pm November 4 (the day before the general election).
Get ABSENTEE BALLOT mailed to you

Decide whether you will be returning your ballot by mail or dropping it off. See Step 5 for deadlines and mark your calendar now.

DID YOU KNOW? If you have a permanent physical disability, you may request to be placed on a designated list so that your local election authority can automatically mail an absentee ballot application directly to you prior to each election. You will need to make this request directly to the Platte County Board of Elections.

Plan to Vote in Person Before Nov. 5

If you want to vote before Election Day for any reason (No Excuse Early Voting) and don’t want to deal with a notary, you may vote in person at the Platte County Board of Elections office, 2600 NW Prairie View Road, Platte City.

DATES/TIMES FOR NO EXCUSE EARLY VOTING:

Tuesday, Oct. 22, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm (extended hours)

Wednesday, Oct. 23, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Thursday, Oct. 24, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Friday, Oct. 25, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday, Oct. 26, 8:00 am – 12:00 (extended hours)

Monday, Oct. 29, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Tuesday, Oct. 30, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm (extended hours)

Wednesday, Oct. 31, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Thursday, Nov. 1, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Friday, Nov. 2, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm (extended hours)

Monday, Nov. 4, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Decide which day and time you will vote and mark it on your calendar.

Plan to Vote in Person on Election Day

If you want to vote on Tuesday, November 5, make sure you know how to get to your polling place. Polls will be open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm, so decide when you will vote and mark it to your calendar.

find your polling place

No transportation? Platte County Dems will drive you to the polls if you need a ride. Now is the time to reserve. You’ll find our contact info at the bottom of this page.

DEADLINE: SEE YOUR STEP 3 CHOICE

fill out a sample ballot

GET A SAMPLE BALLOT: There are 11 different ballots for Platte County this November, and the one pertaining to you is based on your address. Not sure which candidates and issues will be on your official ballot? Whether you’re voting absentee or in person, a sample ballot is a great way to prepare. And it’s legal to use your sample ballot in the voting booth.

The most efficient way is to go to the Missouri Secretary of State website “Check Your Voter Registration” page (use the button below), enter your info, and it will pull up your polling place. Click the blue “View Candidates & Issues” link for a complete list of the races that will appear on your ballot.

download candidates & issues list

If you would like to download an actual sample ballot (not just a list), you’ll find the 11 Platte County sample ballots here:

download a sample ballot

RESEARCH CANDIDATES: Once you have your ballot, find out what each candidate stands for and whether they align with your values. To learn more about the Democratic candidates, use the “Know the Democrats” button for links to their websites and social media. For a nonpartisan look at candidates, select “2024 Voter Guide.” Mark your list or sample ballot as you make your choices.

know the democrats 2024 voter guide

RESEARCH BALLOT MEASURES: Platte Countians will be voting on six state ballot measures: five amendments and one proposition. There’s also one countywide ballot measure and a few that are for particular communities. Reproductive rights and the minimum wage are on the ballot, so don’t skip the ballot measures!

know the ballot measures

DEADLINE: SEE YOUR STEP 3 CHOICE

cast Your Vote according to your plan

voting Absentee

Completed steps 1-4? Then it’s time to follow through with your Step 3 plan to vote absentee.

After completing your ballot, you will need to place it in the envelope and get the envelope notarized. Exceptions to the notary requirement: overseas voters, those on active military duty or members of their immediate family living with them, or voters who are permanently disabled and their caregivers. Free notary services are available at many banks, UPS offices, and some local libraries.

DEADLINES TO RETURN ABSENTEE BALLOTS

  • Mailing: Place your completed (and notarized if required) absentee ballot in the mail. In Missouri, your mailed ballot must reach the Platte County Board of Elections by November 5. In other words, it’s not when you mail it, but when it arrives that counts.
  • Drop off before Election Day: Take your completed (and notarized if required) absentee ballot to the Platte County Board of Elections office between October 22 – November 4. (See the section below for location and hours.)
  • Drop off on Election Day: Take your completed (and notarized if required) absentee ballot to your polling place between 6:00 am and 7:00 pm November 5.
Voting In-person before election day

Once you’ve completed steps 1-4, it’s time to follow through on your Step 3 plan to take advantage of No Excuse Early Voting. You’ll need to visit the Platte County Board of Elections office at 2600 NW Prairie View Road, Platte City. There you will cast your ballot following generally the same procedures as on Election Day.

DATES/TIMES FOR NO EXCUSE EARLY VOTING:
Tuesday, Oct. 22, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm (extended hours)
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday, Oct. 24, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, Oct. 25, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday, Oct. 26, 8:00 am – 12:00 (extended hours)
Monday, Oct. 29, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday, Oct. 30, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm (extended hours)
Wednesday, Oct. 31, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday, Nov. 1, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, Nov. 2, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm (extended hours)
Monday, Nov. 4, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

voting in person on election day

If it’s Tuesday, November 5, it’s time to follow through with your Step 3 plan to vote at your polling location.

WHAT TO KNOW

  • If you need a ride to your polling place or if you reserved a ride with us and have questions, use the information at the bottom of this page to contact us.
  • When you get to your polling place, an election volunteer will check you in on an iPad. You will need to verify your address and sign, then the volunteer will give you a ballot.
  • If you don’t have the proper ID (see Step 1), all is not lost if you are a registered voter (see Step 2). You are entitled under Federal law to request a “provisional ballot.” It will be counted if you return it to your polling place on Election Day and the signature on your provisional ballot envelope matches the signature on your voter registration record. Those who cast provisional ballots are given a stub with instructions on how to verify that their ballot has been counted.
  • You can vote on every question and race, or just a few. The races you vote on will count even if you leave some blank.
  • If you are in line at the closing time of 7:00 pm, you have the right to stay and cast your vote.
  • You are entitled to ask an election judge for help with the voting system if needed.
  • If you accidentally mark too many candidates for a race, you will have the opportunity to correct your ballot.
  • If your mobility is limited, you are entitled to vote “curbside” or outside the polling place. To do so, ask someone to go in and ask poll workers to bring a ballot out to you.
  • Every polling place must have an accessible voting system for individuals with disabilities, including audiovisual accessibility.

DEADLINE: November 5

extra Credit: help us get out the Vote & turn platte county Blue!

Michelle Obama encouraged us to “Do Something!” The Platte County Dems need your help to elect folks determined to work for all of us. We’re organized and ready to go, but always need more hands on deck.

find volunteer opportunities