Mark your calendar with these important 2024 Missouri election dates

Kelly Dereuck, Springfield News-Leader
Updated ·7 min read

A new year is quickly approaching, and with that comes multiple elections that will decide who holds state and national offices. In 2024, voters will choose the next U.S. president, Missouri governor, and several other statewide offices.

With many important elections on the horizon, this guide will identify key dates for voters to add to their calendar. Below are dates and details regarding the presidential preference primary and caucuses, municipal elections, the primary election and the general election.

2024 election dates in Missouri

  • Republican County Level Caucus: March 2, 2024

  • Democratic Presidential Preference Primary: March 23, 2024

  • General Municipal Elections: April 2, 2024

  • Primary Election: August 6, 2024

  • General Election: November 5, 2024

More details on caucuses: Caucuses are replacing the Republican presidential preference primary. What to know

Missouri’s 2024 presidential preference primary and caucus dates to remember

The presidential preference primary will look a little different in Missouri this year, depending on which political party a person belongs to. Due to a change in state law requiring parties to conduct their own presidential preference primaries, Republicans have elected to hold caucuses in each of the state’s 114 counties.

Each will be held on March 2 at 10 a.m., but many counties are still identifying the locations in which these will be held. Information regarding this can be obtained from your local election authority closer to that time. Participants who have not declared their party affiliation in advance will be required to sign a statement verifying their truly held Republican values and beliefs at the caucus.

The Missouri Democratic Party will hold a presidential preference primary on March 23. Participants are required to register as a member of the Democratic Party prior to casting their votes. This can be done either on a voter registration form or online with the Missouri Secretary of State’s office.

Delegates chosen at these Republican county level events will go on to represent their counties at the state and/or congressional conventions. The Democratic Party will also select delegates, though not at caucuses. During these events, which are held separately by both the Republican Party and Democratic Party, delegates representing their chosen presidential candidate will be selected to attend their party’s national conventions.

There will be eight presidential electors selected for each congressional district, and another two are selected at the state convention. These make up the 10 electoral college votes that Missouri receives in the presidential election.

  • Feb. 2: For voters participating in a Republican caucus, this is the last business day on which voter registration can be completed, or a mail-in voter registration packet can be postmarked. Voter registration must be completed 27 days before an election is held in Missouri. It is unclear if that deadline is different for the caucus, as the Missouri Republican Party was unable to provide clarification in time for publication.

  • Feb. 12: This is the first day that mail-in ballots for the Democratic presidential preference primary will be distributed.

  • Feb. 26: For voters participating in the Democratic presidential preference primary, this is the final day to complete voter registration, which must be either submitted or postmarked by Feb. 26.

  • March 2: Republican caucuses begin at 10 a.m. in each of Missouri’s 114 counties. Locations are still being finalized, but local election authorities will be able to notify voters closer to time. Come prepared to stay for several hours, as the caucus will continue until delegates are selected to attend the congressional and statewide conventions.

  • March 12: This is the final day to request a mail-in ballot for the Democratic presidential preference primary. All ballots must be received by the Missouri Democratic Party by 10 a.m. on the day of the primary.

  • March 23: The Democratic presidential preference primary will be held from 8 a.m. and noon. Locations have not yet been finalized in all areas.

  • April 6: The Missouri Republican Party will host its congressional convention in each of the state’s eight congressional districts. Delegates will be chosen to attend the Republican statewide convention.

  • May 4-5: The Missouri Republican Party will host its statewide convention, where delegates chosen at the county caucuses will represent their chosen presidential candidate. This event will be held in Springfield. Delegates will be chosen to attend the Republican National Convention.

  • May 9:  The Missouri Democratic Party will host its congressional convention in each of the state’s eight congressional districts.

  • June 22: The Missouri Democratic Party will host its statewide convention in Jefferson City, where delegates will be selected for the Democratic National Convention.

  • July 15-22: The Republican National Convention is held in Milwaukee.

  • August 19-22: The Democratic National Convention is held in Chicago.

Missouri’s 2024 municipal election dates

Local elections will be held in municipalities deciding on regional tax issues, school board candidates, and a variety of other issues, depending on the area. Here are important dates for voter registration, mail-in voting and election days.

  • Feb. 20: This is the first day that voters can request a mail-in ballot. Requirements for obtaining an absentee ballot can be found on the Missouri Secretary of State’s website. A form to request an absentee ballot can also be found on the same website.

  • March 6: Voter registration must be either submitted or postmarked by this date for voters wanting to participate in municipal elections.

  • March 20: Mail-in ballots must be returned by this date. Those wishing to vote absentee in-person prior to the election must do so before 5:00 p.m. the night before the election.

  • April 2: General municipal elections will be held to decide on local issues and elected positions. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Look online or contact your local election authority for polling locations.

More: Missouri voter registration guide: Checking voter registration status, options to vote

Missouri’s 2024 primary election dates

In August, voters will turn their attention to the responsibility of selecting candidates to represent their party in the November general election. Here are important dates to know for those wishing to participate in this election.

  • June 25: This is the first day that voters can request a mail-in ballot. Requirements for obtaining an absentee ballot can be found on the Missouri Secretary of State’s website.

  • July 10: This is the last day to register to vote for the August primary election. Mail-in voter registration packets must be postmarked by this date.

  • July 24: Mail-in ballots must be returned by this date. Those wishing to vote absentee in-person prior to the election must do so before 5:00 p.m. the night before the election.

  • Aug. 6: The Missouri primary election will be held this day, which will determine which candidate receives the nomination for their party. The nominated candidates for each party will then face each other in the November general election.

Missouri’s 2024 general election dates

In November, voters will make their selections for statewide office holders and indicate their choice for U.S. President. In this election, Missourians will decide who will be their governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer, as well as who will be representing the state in one of its seats in the U.S. Senate. Other state representative and state senate seats will also be decided.

  • Sept. 24: This is the first day that voters can request a mail-in ballot. Requirements for obtaining an absentee ballot can be found on the Missouri Secretary of State’s website.

  • Oct. 9: This is the last day to register to vote for the November general election. Mail-in voter registration packets must be postmarked by this date.

  • Oct. 23: Mail-in ballots must be returned by this date. Those wishing to vote absentee in-person prior to the election must do so before 5:00 p.m. the night before the election.

  • Nov. 5: The general election will be held on this day, deciding the winner of various statewide races. Voters will also indicate their choice for U.S. President.

Those wishing the view the full election calendar may do so on the Missouri Secretary of State’s website, which also contains helpful resources for voter registration, absentee voting and locating local election authorities and polling places.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri voters should know these important 2024 election dates