Absentee ballots may be cast in person or by mail beginning 6 weeks prior to the election date, for anyone that will be out of the county on the day of the election, due to a religious belief or practice, employment as an election authority at a location other than your polling place, if you are a first responder, a health care worker, a member of the U. S. Military, an overseas citizen, or a member of law enforcement, or if unable to make it to their polling place due to illness or disability. Also, full-time caretakers for those ill or disabled may also be eligible. The deadline for absentee voting in person in the office of the County Clerk is 5 p.m. on the day before the election.
No-excuse Absentee voting begins the 2nd Tuesday prior to Election Day. Registered voters may cast an absentee ballot in-person at the Buchanan County Courthouse, 411 Jules St, St Joseph, MO. Voting hours are from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and from 8:00 am - Noon the Saturday prior to Election Day. No excuse or reason is required. Voters must present a valid government-issued photo ID.
Requested Absentee Ballots can be mailed starting 6 weeks prior to the election. They include a postage-paid envelope to return them to the election authority. They must be returned by 7 p.m. on the actual Election Day. Absentee ballots may also be hand carried into the County Clerk’s Office by the voter, or a relative within the second degree. (parent, spouse, child, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law). Missouri Law requires that requests for absentee ballots be received by 5 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday prior to Election Day if the ballot is to be mailed (RSMo 115.279 (3)
Absentee ballots requested by persons unable to vote at their polling place on election day are required to be notarized. Absentee ballots requested by persons being prevented to vote at the polls due to illness or disability are not required to be notarized. If you are a voter with a chronic illness or disability (or their caretaker) you may also be eligible to be placed on our permanent absentee voter list. Contact the County Clerk's office for more information.
Download the Absentee Ballot Request Form. Mail the form to the Buchanan County Clerk’s Office Attn: Connie Grosdidier, 411 Jules Street Room 121, St. Joseph, MO 64501. You can also scan, Email, or return this completed form in person to the County Clerk’s Office / Election Authority.
If you registered to vote online, or through the mail, and this will be your first time voting, you must provide a copy of one of the following:
Click here for examples of valid government-issued photo ID. Learn more at: Missouri identification requirements for voting.
***We will not be able to mail you an Absentee Ballot until the above requirement has been met.***
Missouri Law requires that requests for absentee ballots be received by 5 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday prior to Election Day if the ballot is to be mailed (RSMo 115.279 (3)). The deadline for absentee voting in person in the office of the County Clerk is 5 p.m. on the day before the election.
The County Clerk’s Office wants our overseas / military service members, along with their spouses and dependents, to have all options available to them so they can easily vote in our elections.
If you are an eligible Missouri military and overseas voter, you can register to vote, request, and receive absentee ballots, and learn about upcoming elections, all through Missouri’s Military and Overseas Voting Portal. To access this portal, click the link below.
https://movotesportal.sos.mo.gov/
You can also request absentee ballots by mail. Click on the link below for the Federal Absentee Ballot Request form.
Federal Absentee Ballot Application
Mail, fax or Email your absentee application to our office.
Department Name
County Clerk's Office
Address
411 Jules Street, Room 121, Saint Joseph, MO 64501
Phone
816-271-1412
Fax
816-271-1535
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday 08:00 AM - 04:30 PM
Information
We are open during lunch hours.