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Upcoming Election Information

All 2026 Election Dates

November 3, 2026 – General Election

Candidate Filing Period:
July 7th, 2026 – July 28th, 2026

Last Day to Register to Vote:
October 7th, 2026

Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot to be mailed to voter:
October 21st, 2026

First day for regular absentee voters to vote in person or to request a ballot at the County Clerk’s office:
September 22, 2026

All McDonald County voters can vote in person “no excuse absentee” vote at the County Clerk’s:
October 20th – November 2nd, 2026
Weekly Hours: Monday – Friday 8am-4pm
Saturday October 24th 8am-12pm
Saturday October 31st 8am-12pm
Monday November 2nd 8am-5pm

POP UP VOTING LOCATIONS
Tuesday October 20th & 27th – Crowder College – Jane
2pm-7pm
Thursday October 22nd – Goodman Cornerstone Branch
9am-4pm
Thursday October 29th – Southwest City Library
10am-5pm

Election Day:
November 3, 2026 Polls Open 6AM-7PM

Future Election Dates: April 6, 2027, April 4, 2028, August 8, 2028, November 7, 2028

Click on the following link: Request for Voter Registration Records– NOT FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES

Who is Eligible to Vote?

• Registered at 17 1/2 years of age, but 18 years old on Election Day
• A US Citizen of the United States
• A McDonald County, Missouri Resident

What If I was Convicted of a Felony?

• Your right to vote is automatically restored after you have been released from incarceration for most crimes. If you are on probation or parole, you have to have completed your sentence in order to be eligible to vote.
  • The following crimes are not automatically released to be voter eligible
    • Convictions of murder, child endangerment, first-or second degree assault, incest: These you must have completely finished your sentence including no longer on parole or probation before gaining your right to vote.
    • This means you may not register to vote.
    • You may not register to vote if you have been declared incapacitated by a court or have lost your right to vote.

Write-In Candidates

The deadline for submitting a Write-in Candidate Declaration of Intent for the Nov. 3, 2026 election is Oct. 23, 2026 by 5 p.m. (RSMo. 115.453(4)).

A “Write-In Candidate” is a person:

• Whose name is not printed on the ballot (RSMo. 115.453(4)); and
• Who has filed a Declaration of Intent to be a write-in candidate for election to office prior to 5 p.m. on the second Friday immediately preceding Election Day.

Are write-in votes counted for every name that is written in?

• No. If a candidate is on the ballot for an office, write-in votes are counted only for the candidates who have properly filed a Declaration of Intent to be a write-in (RSMo. 115.453(4)). If no candidate is on the ballot for an office, a Declaration of Intent is not required and votes are counted for every name properly written in (RSMo. 115.453(4)).

How does a write-in candidate file?

• Documents needed for filing are outlined in (RSMo. 115.306).
  • Declaration of Intent
  • Proof of Identity – Photo identification allowed for voting. (RSMo. 115.355(4))
  • Proof of the Candidate’s Affidavit of Tax Payments (Form 5120), filed with the Missouri Department of Revenue. This requirement does not apply to candidates running for federal office (RSMo. 115.306).

Where does a write-in candidate  submit a Declaration of Intent?

• For federal office, statewide office, State Senator, State Representative, or Circuit Judge:
  • File with the Missouri Secretary of State
• For a county office:
  • File with the Election Authority (RSMo. 115.453(4))
• For a municipal or school district office:
  • File with the Election Authority (RSMo. 115.453(4))

Can a write-in candidate be on a primary election ballot?

• No, per RSMo. 115.453(5).

If a candidate runs in a primary election and loses, can the person run in the general election for the same office?

• No. If a candidate files for nomination to an office and is not nominated at a Primary Election, that candidate cannot file a Declaration of Intent to be a write-in candidate for the same office at the General Election (RSMo. 115.453(4)).

Public Service Requests

Voter registration files are public record. They may not be used for commercial purposes. To request a voter registration list, email mcdonald.county@sos.mo.gov and indicate who is requesting the file, the scope of the file (countywide or certain political subdivision) and the email address to receive the file.

BECOME A POLL WORKER!!

Poll Worker Information
Each year, up to 75 dedicated individuals serve voters at polling places across McDonald County. Poll workers (officially called “election judges” in Missouri) are a vital part of Election Day and help ensure that every election runs smoothly. Poll workers set up and manage polling places, assist voters, and maintain the efficiency and integrity of the election process in McDonald County.

Qualifications:
Age 18+
Registered to vote in Missouri
Able to read, write, and speak English fluently
Completion of any required training before each election
Ability to use technology is preferred

Compensation:
Poll worker pay starts at $185
Additional pay is provided for serving as a supervisor, attending training, and other duties as specified

Hours:
Polls are open on Election Day from 6 AM to 7 PM
Poll workers report to their assigned polling place between 4:45 – 5:15 AM and leave after all poll closing duties have been completed after the polls close at 7 PM
Half-day shifts are available, but you must sign up in pairs — contact us for more info!

Questions? Contact the County Clerk’s office 417-223-7530 or mcdonald.county@sos.mo.gov

What do I need to do, If, I want to place an initiative on a Ballot?

That is a great question. The best resource provided can be found at the State Level Click here.

First question you have to ask yourself.
Will this initiative affect the entire State or just have a local impact?

Missouri’s Constitution reserves to the people “power to propose and enact or reject laws and amendments to the constitution by the initiative.

The Missouri Constitution provides signature thresholds and other rules.
 • For a constitutional amendment via initiative: must collect signatures equal to 8% of legal voters in each of two-thirds of the congressional districts.
• Missouri Secretary of State: For an initiative proposing a statute (state law): must collect signatures equal to 5% of legal voters.

Deadline:
Most petitions must be submitted in an approved format to the local election authority no less than six months prior to the election date. In most cases, petitions must also be reviewed by the Attorney General and/or the Secretary of State before circulation for signatures. For detailed requirements, please review RSMo 116.332 and 116.334. Additional guidance on circulating petitions can be found on the Missouri Secretary of State’s website: Petitions.

Locally:
At this time, McDonald County does not have ordinances permitting citizen-driven initiatives. However, it may be possible to persuade the County Commission to place a measure on the ballot by ordinance, rather than through a citizen petition.
If local citizens still wish to circulate a petition, it is strongly recommended to seek legal counsel first and review RsMo 115.700. All local petitions must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the final certification date of the targeted election in which residents wish the initiative to appear on the ballot.