Election Information

Sample Ballot for the November 8, 2022 General Election

Absentee Voting

During the two weeks prior to the election, you may vote a no-excuse absentee ballot in person at the Bates County Clerk’s Office.

When voting an absentee ballot in person, you must show an acceptable form of photo ID. In person absentee voters are not eligible for a provisional ballot.

Absentee voters must provide one of the following reasons for voting absentee:

Absence on Election Day from the jurisdiction of the election authority in which such voter is registered to vote;
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;
Religious belief or practice;
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;
Incarceration, provided all qualifications for voting are retained.
Certified participation in the address confidentiality program established under sections 589.660 to 589.681 because of safety concerns.

Voters can request absentee ballots from the Bates County Clerk’s Office in person, by mail, by fax or by e-mail. Relatives within the second degree (spouse, parents and children) may complete an absentee ballot application, in person, on behalf of the voter who wishes to vote absentee.

Filled out applications can be mailed/faxed/emailed to the contact information above. Absentee Applications must be in the Clerks office by 5:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday prior to the Election.

Need an Absentee Application? —Click Here!

How do I register to vote in Bates County???

You can register in person at the Bates County Clerk’s Office located in the Bates County Administration Building. You will need a form of ID. If the ID does not have a current address, you will need to bring paperwork that shows your Bates County address. To be eligible to vote, your registration form must be POSTMARKED by the 4th Wednesday before the election.

Or you can go online to register thru the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/register