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SB 1217

SB 1217 - Current law requires an excuse in order to vote absentee beginning the 6th Tuesday prior to the election. This act repeals the need for an excuse and instead allows voting absentee with no excuse beginning on the 6th Tuesday prior to the election. This act is identical to SB 470 (2025) and substantially similar to HB 1883 (2024). SCOTT SVAGERA

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patty Lewis

Missouri bill removes voter excuse requirements for absentee ballots, expanding mail-in voting access to any registered voter regardless of reason.

Second Read and Referred S Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1217

Legislative bill overview

SB 1217 would establish no-excuse absentee voting in Missouri, allowing any registered voter to request an absentee ballot without providing a reason for their absence. Currently, Missouri requires voters to provide specific justifications (such as age, illness, or travel) to vote absentee. This bill would remove those restrictions and expand access to mail-in voting.

Why is this important

Absentee voting access directly affects voter participation rates, particularly for individuals with work conflicts, disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or transportation challenges. Missouri's current restrictive absentee system is stricter than many neighboring states, making this legislation potentially significant for election administration and voter turnout in the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Voter security concerns: Opponents may argue that no-excuse absentee voting increases risks of ballot fraud, signature verification issues, or chain-of-custody problems, though research on this is mixed
  • Election administration costs and logistics: Expanding absentee voting requires additional resources for ballot printing, distribution, tracking, and processing, raising questions about implementation feasibility and cost
  • Partisan implications: Absentee voting expansion is often viewed through a partisan lens, with different groups believing it advantages particular parties, potentially making this a contentious ideological issue

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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