St. Louis City Sets Absentee Deadlines for April 7 Election | The Locally Times
In-person, no-excuse absentee voting for the April 7 election begins March 24, and the deadline to request a mail-in ballot is March 25, according to election board records.
St. Louis City voters have several options to cast a ballot ahead of the April 7, 2026, general election. The St. Louis City Board of Election Commissioners has published a timeline for both in-person and mail-in absentee voting, providing multiple avenues for participation. This follows a March 11 voter registration deadline, which The Locally Times reported on as the last day for residents to register for this election. ## In-Person Absentee Voting Runs March 24-April 6 The first opportunity for early voting begins March 24, 2026. A meeting record from the St. Louis City Board of Election Commissioners identifies this as the start of in-person, no-excuse-needed absentee voting. This option allows registered voters to cast a ballot in person without providing a reason. According to a separate board record, this voting period ends on April 6, 2026, the day before the election. The record notes this is the last day for residents to vote absentee in person for what the board calls both types. ## Mail-In Ballots: March 25 Request Deadline For residents who prefer to vote by mail, the Board of Election Commissioners has set a March 25, 2026, deadline to request a ballot. A meeting record specifies this is the final day to submit an application for what the board calls an application-based absentee ballot by mail. Completed mail-in ballots must be returned to election authorities by 7 p.m. on Election Day, April 7, to be counted. Records from the Board of Election Commissioners specify this is a receipt deadline, not a postmark deadline. The records do not offer a recommended mailing date to ensure ballots arrive on time. ## Public Records Lack Key Voter Information While the Board of Election Commissioners has established a timeline, its public records do not contain all the details residents may need to utilize these voting options. The documents do not specify the locations or operating hours for the in-person absentee voting that begins on March 24. Furthermore, a board record from April 6 refers to the last day to vote absentee in person for both types, but the public records do not define these two types, what distinguishes them, or if their eligibility requirements differ. Similarly, the records do not detail the specific eligibility requirements for an application-based absentee ballot by mail, leaving it unclear who qualifies for this option.