There are three types of ways to vote in the

state of Missouri. The first way is the absentee

ballot that can be mailed in to a county authority.

The second way to vote is to cast a paper ballot

which has to be marked individually for each candidate–no “straight party” tickets are allowed. The last way to vote is by machine at the polling places in which the voter must understand how to use the machine and may ask for a demonstration needed. Voting registration had to have been done before October 12th and could’ve been done online, by mail, or in person at a county clerk’s office. An ID photo is not required, but an ID is required and it can come in several forms such as a utility bill or a license. Photo ID was deemed unconstitutional according to Missouri’s Supreme Court in 2006. Plus, the Missouri State Senate overrode a veto by their governor which would’ve placed photo ID into action.

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       As seen in the graphic, the 2008 presidential election between Obama and McCain was very close by only a margin of 0.1% difference in Missouri. In the 2012 presidential election, however, the margin was not as close due to the 9.4% difference. Since the election four years ago wasn’t as close, the people in Missouri might not feel as much pressure to get out and vote because they don’t think their vote will really sway the election either way because the margin is so large. On the other hand, the 2008 election should have prompted the people of Missouri to value their vote in the next 2012 election since the previous was as close as it was. This can shed some light on what the voter turnout will be for this 2016 election, not only for the presidential election, but also the senatorial election.