Haven’t registered to vote in November’s election? Here’s how to in Missouri and Kansas
The deadline to register to vote in November’s general election is Wednesday in Missouri and Oct. 17 in Kansas.
You still have time to register to vote on important issues such as funding for the bus system in Kansas City and local offices in Wyandotte and Johnson counties.
Here’s how to register for the Nov. 7 elections.
How to register to vote in Missouri and Kansas
In Missouri, you can register online or in person at your election office.
A quick note about finding your election office in Kansas City: The Kansas City Election Board oversees elections for Kansas City residents who live south of the river, and the Jackson County Election Board manages elections for residents in Jackson County who live outside of Kansas City — like Independence or Raytown.
The Platte County Board of Elections and the Clay County Board of Election Commissioners cover everything north of the river.
You can also ask someone at your library branch to help you register to vote.
In Kansas, you can register online if you have a Kansas driver’s license or non-driving ID card. If you don’t have one, you can print and mail a paper registration application. The addresses of each county’s election office are listed on the second page.
If you want to register in person, you can visit one of the many registration sites in Johnson County or Wyandotte County.
How do you update your registration if you moved or changed your name?
In Missouri, you can update your name with an election judge at your polling place on Election Day. You can vote in one election under your old name, but then you have to send in a new voter registration application with your new name.
You can also update your address on Election Day if you moved to a new address within the same county and your old registration is still active.
If you moved to a new county, moved to Missouri from out of state or if your registration at your old address was removed from the voter rolls, you must send in a new registration application.
In Kansas, you have to complete the voter registration application every time you move.
What do I need to register to vote?
Both states require voters to provide their full name, date of birth and current address when registering to vote.
In Missouri, you may be asked to provide a driver’s license number and/or a Social Security number on your registration application. However, both of these are optional. Leave these fields blank if you don’t have a driver’s license or a Social Security number.
In Kansas, you need a Kansas driver’s license or non-driving ID to register online. If you have an out-of-state ID or no ID, you have to fill out a paper application as described above and provide the last four digits of your Social Security number if you have one. If you don’t have one, you can write “none.”
You may also be given the option to affiliate yourself with a political party.
You must be at least 18 years old at the next election, a resident and a U.S. citizen to vote.
The Star’s Natalie Wallington contributed to this report
