What to Expect on Election Day
If you’re concerned about making it to your voting location on Election Day, learn more about accessible voting in Howard County. All voting locations are open from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
At the check-in table:
- When you arrive at the voting location, you see election workers ready to assist you. If the polls close while you’re still in line, stay in line – you have the right to vote.
- Present acceptable identification. Click here to see the acceptable types of identification (PDF). Please note this is a change due to the October 23, 2018, Amended Order & Judgment regarding photo ID in Missouri.
- Give your acceptable identification to the Election Worker to scan.
- Review the information that is on the iPad screen to make sure it is correct.
- Sign the poll pad after verifying the information is correct. If you need to change your address, the Election Worker will ask you to fill out a new voter card and to step out of line until that card has been completed.
- The election worker will give you a ballot specific to your address. In primary elections, you must state your political party preference to receive a ballot specific to your party.
- To vote, proceed to a voting station for the sake of privacy. Please do not use cellphones or other communication technology while voting.
Marking your ballot:
- To vote for a candidate, darken the oval to the left of the candidate’s name.
- To vote on any measure, darken the oval to the left of “Yes” or “No.”
- Check both the front and back of your ballot for voting contests.
To vote for a write-in candidate:
- The Election Workers CANNOT tell you who the write-in candidates are, nor can they be posted at the polls. It is your responsibility as the voter, to know who the write-ins are.
- Write the person’s name in the blank space provided directly below the names of the other candidates for that office.
- Darken the oval to the left of the blank space.
Review & cast your ballot:
- If you vote for more candidates than are allowed, or if you vote both Yes and No on a measure, your vote will not count for that contest.
- You do not have to vote on all contests. Those you do vote on will still count.
- If you make a mistake, ask for another ballot.
- After you have completed voting, insert your voted ballot into an election scanner to be counted.
