Frequently Asked Questions-Elections
What is the address/phone/fax number of the County Clerk?
Jefferson County Clerk
PO BOX 100
Hillsboro MO 63050
636-797-5486
636-797-5360 fax
When are elections held?
The first Tuesday after the first Monday in April of EVERY year.
The first Tuesday after the first Monday in August of EVEN-NUMBERED years.
The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of EVEN-NUMBERED years.
*Other dates as ordered by a circuit court or set forth in Missouri State Statutes*
What are we voting on in April? August? November?
April is the General Municipal Election that contains issues related to incorporated cities, fire districts, school boards, Jefferson College, water districts, ambulance boards, special road districts, Jefferson County Health Department, Jefferson County 911 and all tax issues.
August is the state primary when we select the nominees of each political party to be represented in the November election. On the ballot will be races such as U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, State Senate, State Representative, Circuit and Associate Judge and all County offices. Voters must select a party ballot in this election. A voter may not vote for a candidate of one party and a candidate of another party. A voter will receive a ballot that contains the candidates of only one (1) political party.
November is the General Election. Candidates of all parties will appear on a voter's ballot. Voters may vote for whom ever they choose. Voters do not have to declare a political party to the election judges.
Am I registered to vote in Jefferson County?
The deadline to register to vote is the 4th Wednesday preceding any election. If you are unsure if you are registered to vote, feel free to contact us: 636-797-5486 or click here.
Where can I register to vote in Jefferson County?
Click here for places to register to vote in Jefferson County.
Where do I vote? Can I vote at any poll? Can I vote at my old poll?
A voter must vote at the poll to which he has been assigned. If a voter has moved within Jefferson County, he may change his address at any time, including the day of the election. However, if a voter has moved within Jefferson County and has not updated his voting information before the day of the election, then the voter may be instructed to travel to the new poll location in order to cast a ballot. Missouri law requires a voter to vote at a poll based on their current address, not the old address. Click here for your polling location.
Listed below is a list of polling places including their physical address as well as precincts assinged to each.
click here for a list of polling places in Jefferson County
What is the deadline to register to vote?
The deadline to register to vote is the 4th Wednesday preceding any election. If you are unsure if you are registered to vote, feel free to contact us: 636-797-5486 or click here.
If I moved to Jefferson County from another county before the deadline and I failed to
register to vote in Jefferson County. Since I am still registered to vote in my former
county, can I vote there on election day?
NO! According to Missouri law, a voter must cast his ballot from his current address at his new polling location in Jefferson County. If a voter misses the deadline to register, they shall not be allowed to vote at either his old polling location in his former county or at their new polling location in Jefferson County. To register to vote click here or to find out if a voter is registered in Jefferson County click here. Don't delay, register today!
I moved to Jefferson County after the voter registration deadline has passed,
what are my voting options? Can I legally vote?
Yes, a voter who has moved after the deadline may cast a ballot. However, the voter must come to the County Clerk's office to do so. The type of ballot the voter will be voting on is only located in the Clerk's office. Please do not go to the polls as the election judges will contact the Clerk's office and ultimately send the voter to the Clerk's office in Hillsboro on election day. Click here for directions.
If I registered to vote by mail, how do I find out if my registration has been received?
All registrations must be processed in 7 days. All prospective registrants should have received confirmation from us regarding their application. Confirmation will come in the form of a letter or a post card. If a voter does not receive conrirmation that they are registered to vote from this office, contact us immediately. Please do not assume that we have the application. 636-797-5486 or look here.
I received confirmation from the County Clerk that I am registered to vote, but I have
lost the card, can I get another? Can I vote without my card?
Yes, a voter may vote without presenting their Voter Notification Card. This card is just one of many acceptable forms of identification that a voter may present to the election judge. If a card is lost, a person may contact us to mail out a new replacement card. 636-797-5486
What time do the polls open/close on election day?
The polls throughout Missouri open promptly at 6: a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m.. All voters standing in line at 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to cast a ballot.
Do I need a picture or photo id in order to voter?
No, Missouri currently does require a photo in order to vote. Proper identification requirements can be found in Section 115.427 RSMO.
How do I vote? It's my first time.
In order to vote, an individual must make sure that he is in fact a registered voter. The voter must then go to the assigned polling location. The County Clerk will send out a courtesy reminder card with the polling location and date of the election immediately preceding any election. (about 2 weeks prior)
Upon arrival at the proper polling location, an election judge will ask the voter for a form of identification. Missouri requires one (1) of the following:
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ID issued by the Federal Government, state of Missouri, or a local election authority; |
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ID issued by a Missouri institution (public or private) of higher education, including a university, college, vocational and technical school; |
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A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document that contains the name and address of the voter; |
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Driver's license or state identification card issued by another state. |
Note: If you do not possess any of these forms of identification, you may still cast a ballot if two supervising election judges, one from each major political party, attest they know you.
Once a voter has shown the proper form of identification, the voter will be asked to verify that the address in the precinct roster is correct. The voter will place his initials by the address. The voter will then be asked to sign the precinct roster.
Are punch cards still used when voting?
Punch cards are now obsolete in Missouri. In Jefferson County, there are two ways a voter may cast his ballot at the poll on election day:
Most voters in Jefferson County will choose the paper option. A voter will receive a paper ballot and be instructed to use the marker to "color in" the circle by the name of the candidate the voter wishes to vote for. The voter will place the ballot into the optical scan machine located on the top of the black ballot box.
Voter mays also choose to vote on the DRE (digital recording equipment). A voter need only 'touch' the name of the voter on the screen to cast his ballot.
I need help when I vote, what are my options?
A voter may receive assistance from any person he chooses. A voter may bring another person with him to read or mark the ballot. A voter who does not bring a person to assist him is entitled to receive help from our election judges. The judges have been instructed to help a voter in the following manner: One Democrat judge and one Republican judge will assist each voter to ensure fairness.
I made a mistake on my ballot, what can I do?
All voters have the opportunity to vote a correct ballot. If a mistake is made by a voter while at the poll, the voter should notify the election judges immediately. The judge will take the original ballot and write the word 'spoiled' in big letters across the face of the ballot. The judge will then hand the voter a new ballot. In Missouri voters have a 'Second Chance Voting' opportunity.
If a voter has received an absentee ballot and makes a mistake, the voter should contact our office immediately at 636-797-5486 to notify our staff. We will instruct the voter to return the ballot to us in a 'plain white envelope' with the word 'spoiled' written in big letters across the front of the ballot. Our office will then send out a replacement ballot to the voter.
Note: If the bad ballot is returned in the brown envelope, the Clerk's office will not be allowed under state law to open it and send the voter a new ballot.
When does absentee voting begin?
Absentee voting begins on the 6th Tuesday prior to the election.
I am going to be out of town, but I still want to vote, what are my options?
Any voter who may be out of town, away at school or incapacitated due to illness and, therefore, will not be able to vote at the poll on election day, is invited to cast an absentee ballot. click for an absentee application.
How do I vote absentee vote? Does Missouri have "Early Voting"?
Missouri is one of the few states that DOES NOT have "Early Voting." We do, however have absentee voting. What's the difference?Many states allow voters to vote during a designated period of time prior to election, even though they would be able to vote on the exact day of the election. They may be able to vote at their normal polling place or at a satellite location established by the election authority. Missouri requires any voter who can not vote in person to provide a reason for voting absentee.
Jefferson County residents who will not be able to go to their polling place on election day may vote absentee beginning six weeks prior to an election.
Voters may request absentee ballots from the County Clerk/Election Authority in person or by fax. A parent or adult child of a registered voter may complete an absentee ballot application, in person at this office, on behalf of the voter who wishes to vote absentee.
ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS MUST BE SENT TO THIS OFFICE BY THE DEADLINE TO BE VALID.
Click for an absentee application
Where do I absentee vote? What is the deadline to absentee vote?
Absentee voting ONLY takes place in the County Clerk's office located at 729 Maple St., Suite G17, Hillsboro MO. The deadline to vote absentee in person is the Monday before the lection on Tuesday. The deadline to request that an absentee ballot be sent to you is the Wednesday before the Tuesday election. (This allows the post office to deliver the ballot to you and for you to send the ballot back to us).
If I vote absentee, will it count?
Yes, under Missouri law, all ballots, including those cast at the poll and those cast by absentee are counted. It does not matter if the election is close or not, all absentee ballots are counted in every election.
I am disabled, how do I get a ballot sent to me every election?
The Jefferson County Clerk's office maintains an 'indefinite list' of absentee voters. If a voter wishes to be placed on the indefinite absentee list, the voter should send us a written request that includes: full name, address, address where ballot is to be sent and signature and most importantly the reason the voter wishes to be placed on the list. Click here for an indefinite absentee request application.
I have received my absentee ballot, how do I vote it? When do I send it back?
Please use a black/blue ink pen and "color-in" the circle in front of the name of the candidate for whom you want to vote. Be careful to stay inside the circle. Place the ballot into the return envelope that we have provided and send the absentee ballot back to us immediately. Any ballot that is received after 7:00 p.m. on election day shall not be counted according to Missouri law.
I have requested but never received my absentee ballot, why?
Please contact us immediately if you have not received your ballot. Missouri law requires that we process each request within 3 business days of receipt of the request. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is the Wednesday prior to the election. Did you provide your PO Box? School address? Was the request made after the deadline?
My child is away at college, may I request a ballot for him/her?
Yes, Missouri law allows a parent to request an absentee ballot. Click here for an absentee application.
Do I have to get my absentee ballot notarized?
Must a notary watch me vote my ballot?
Any voter who will be out of town, away at college or absent on election day must have his ballot envelope notarized. No, a notary will not watch a voter color-in the circles on his/her ballot, A notary will only 'witness' the voter's signature. Any envelope that is required to be notarized, but is not notarized, will not be opened and, in accordance with Missouri law, will not be counted. Any voter who has requested and received an absentee ballot for health reasons is not required to have the ballot envelope notarized.
Note: Regardless of the notary requirement, all ballot envelopes must contain the signature of the voter. Failure to include the signature on the envelope will result in the ballot inside the envelope not being counted.
A voter should never sign his/her name on the ballot itself or allow anyone else
to write on the ballot.
What should I do about my voter registration if I marry, move or change my name?
A voter should contact our office immediately to make the necessary change. Click here for the form a voter should use if he moves, marries or changes his name.
Do I have to declare my political party? If not, why do the election judges sometimes
ask me which
political party's ballot I want ?
Missouri is one of the few states that does not require a voter to state his political party affiliation on his registration. Many voter registration groups use a generic form that is valid in all states. This form may include a box or an area for a voter to indicate his political party. Missouri registrants need not write or place a check mark in this area.
Missouri has an August statewide primary election in each even-numbered year. The primary is an election contest between members of the same political party. For example, several candidates of the same political party may file for the position of County Treasurer. The August election will determine which candidate will face the candidate for that same position from the opposing political party in the November general election. Our election judges will ask you which political party's ballot you would like to vote. All candidates of ONE political party will appear on your ballot. No record of your selection is kept by the County Clerk.
Can I vote for candidates of more than one political party in August?
No, in August, a voter must choose a political party or vote a ballot that contains only non-partisan issues. A voter's ballot will contain all of candidates of the political party they have chosen. In November, candidates of all parties will appear on a voter's ballot. A voter is free to select a candidate from either party at that election.
Can I vote straight party ballot or straight party ticket?
Voters are no longer allowed to vote for all candidates of one political party by "coloring-in" one single circle at the top of the ballot.
Note: Please do no circle the political party emblem!
In order to vote for all candidates of one political party, a voter must "color-in" the circle in front of the name of each candidate of the voter's choice.
The post office, my credit card company and the County Assessor know
my new address, why don't you know? Why/when must I notify you if I change my address?
Missouri law requires the signature of every individual to change his/her voter information. Yes, we may be aware of a voter's new residence, but our office still requires a voter's signature.
A voter must change/update his address with the County Clerk's office each time he/she moves. Otherwise, a voter may show up at the wrong polling place and be required to fill-out a change of address form and be sent to the new polling location.
Can I change my address over the phone?
No, Missouri law requires that we have the signature of the voter in order to make any change. A voter may mail or fax 636-797-5360 the change to us by completing this form.
Why didn't I receive one of those courtesy reminder cards?
The Jefferson County Clerk's office sends out the reminder cards approximately 2 weeks before each election. The cards are only sent to voters who have current addresses with our office. Are you registered to vote at your current address? Check here.
How do I find out a list of candidates for the current election?
For a list of candidates who will appear on the ballot this election, please click here. This list includes the names, addresses and phone numbers of the candidates. Candidates who will not appear on the ballot in this election are not included. You may contact our office to obtain these names, addresses and phone numbers by calling 636-797-5486.
Looking for a sample ballot?
Click here.
If I register to vote, will I be called for jury duty?
Jury duty is a function of the Circuit Clerk's office located in the Jefferson County Courthouse. The Circuit Clerk's office telephone number is 636-797-5443. There are many ways an individual may be called for jury duty. A person may be called regardless of their voter registration status. Most often, prospective jurors names are selected from the list of persons who have a driver's license.
How do I find election results? Current election results? Past election results?
On election night we will be posting the results on our website as quickly as the votes from a precinct are counted. Typically, the first results are announced between 8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. and the final results are, often times, announced before 10:00 p.m. Click here for current and past election results.
How do I contact the political parties in Jefferson County?
Libertarian Chairman
Francis Duckworth
5056 High Meadow
Dittmer MO 63023
636-274-3100
Republican Chairwoman
Janet Engelbach
3489 Linhorst Rd
Hillsboro MO 63050
636-475-6328
Democratic Chairwoman
Linda Schilly
313 Jefferson
Crystal City MO 63019
636-937-2083
636-933-9466 Democratic Party HQ
I need a ride to the polls, can you provide me with one?
Unfortunately no, our office is not equipped to provide transportation to voters. We suggest that a voter contact one of the local political parties or candidates to secure a ride to the polls.
Where do I file for office?
Click here for the location.