Boone County County Clerk
 

Military and Overseas Voters

Uniformed service members and overseas citizens (UOCAVA voters) from Boone County can participate in elections from home and abroad by registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. Voters can either fill out a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) or sign up for the state's Military and Overseas Voting Access (MOVOTES) Portal to request their ballot for Boone County elections.

UOCAVA voters that submit an FPCA or utilize the MOVOTES Portal at least 45 days before an election will automatically receive a ballot for all elections held through December 31st of the following year. Ballots must be mailed back to the Boone County Clerk's Office, unless the voter is in a designated hostile fire zone as defined by the Missouri Secretary of State's Office. UOVACA voters in a designated hostile fire zone may email or fax their ballot to the Clerk's Office.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

What is UOCAVA?

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) extends federal absentee voting rights to Service members, their eligible family members, and overseas citizens.

Who is eligible under UOCAVA in Boone County?

Eligible UOCAVA voters in Boone County include:

  • Voters that are part of the United States Uniformed Services, National Guard, or Federal Service, and their spouses or dependents and who are registered to vote in Boone County or whose voting residence is in Boone County; and
  • Voters that are currently overseas and Boone County was the last address where they lived before moving overseas.

Voter Registration and Ballot Request

How can a UOCAVA voter register to vote and request an absentee ballot?

UOCAVA voters can register to vote and request an absentee ballot in a single application by:

  • Using the Military and Overseas Voting Access (MOVOTES) Portal to register and request a ballot online.
  • Completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and mailing, emailing, or faxing it to the Boone County Clerk's Office.
  • The deadline to register to vote in Missouri is the fourth Wednesday before each election. Absentee applications from UOCAVA voters that are already registered to vote in Missouri must be received by the Clerk's Office by 5:00 p.m. CST on the Friday prior to the election.

Do I need to register by political party?

No, political party affiliation is optional in Missouri. However, for a Primary Election, you must select a party ballot or choose a nonpartisan ballot that lists only issues, not candidates.

What is the FPCA?

The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) allows UOCAVA voters to:

  • Register to vote,
  • Request an absentee ballot, and
  • Update contact information with local election officials.

How do I submit the FPCA in Missouri?

Boone County voters can submit their FPCA by:

Absentee Ballots

When will I receive my ballot?

Absentee ballots are sent to UOCAVA voters at least 46 days before an election. UOCAVA voters can request to have their ballot emailed or mailed. Mailed ballots will take longer depending on the postal system in your location.

How will I receive my absentee ballot?

Missouri allows UOCAVA voters to receive their ballots via:

How do I return my completed absentee ballot?

  • Mail: Most UOCAVA voters must return their ballot and absentee affidavit by mail. Postage is not required if mailed from an APO/FPO, U.S. embassy, or consulate.
    • Boone County Clerk's Office
      801 E Walnut St, Rm 236
      Columbia, MO 65201
  • Hostile zone voters: Voters in a designated hostile fire zone can return ballots electronically by fax: (573) 886-4300, email: absentee@boonecountymo.org, or through the Military and Overseas Voting Access (MOVOTES) Portal.
  • Deadline: Ballots must be received by 12:00 p.m. CST on the Friday following Election Day.

What if I do not get my ballot?

If your absentee ballot does not arrive in time, use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup. If your official absentee ballot arrives later, fill it out and send it in. Only one ballot will be counted.

How do I check the status of my ballot?

UOCAVA voters can contact the Absentee Office of the Boone County Clerk's Office by email at absentee@boonecountymo.org or phone at 573-886-4386.

What if I can now vote in-person but already submitted an FPCA?

If you were overseas when you submitted an Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) but are now back in the U.S., notify the Boone County Clerk's Office for assistance.