Voting
As a community partner, the Kansas City Public Library is here to help answer your questions about the voting process, and can direct you to information about your local elections.
Your Rights as a Voter
While practices vary across the country, the following voter bill of rights applies to all states.
- You may cast a ballot if you registered to vote before the deadline;
- You may cast a ballot if you are in line at a polling place before the polls close;
- You may cast a provisional ballot if your name is not listed on the voter rolls but you believe that you have correctly registered to vote;
- You may cast a secret ballot free from intimidation;
- You may receive a new ballot if you believe you made a mistake;
- You may receive assistance in casting your ballot from the person of your choice other than your employer or union representative if you are unable to vote without it;
- You may receive election materials in a language other than English;*
- You may receive assistance in your preferred language from a bilingual poll worker;*
- You may ask questions about election procedures and observe the elections process; and
- You may report any illegal activity to a local, state, or federal elections official.
*Note: Only applicable if your jurisdiction is subject to legal requirements based on the presence of a critical mass of eligible voters who are not yet fully fluent in English.
You can register to vote or update your voter registration at any of our locations.
For information about upcoming elections and voting in your area, click below.
Because democracy depends on informed voters, here are some resources that can help you when you want to learn more about what’s on your ballot:
- Ballotpedia: Ballotpedia is the nonpartisan digital encyclopedia of American politics and provides unbiased information on elections, politics and policy.
- FactCheck.org: FactCheck.org is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. They are a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. FactCheck.org staff monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases.
- Politifact: PolitiFact is owned by the nonprofit Poynter Institute for Media Studies and prides itself on its nonpartisan political fact-checking with journalistic principles and standards. Their core principles are independence, transparency, fairness, thorough reporting and clear writing.
- Politifact (Missouri edition): PolitiFact’s Missouri focus is made possible by their collaboration with the University of Missouri. Reporters and researchers examine statements by Missouri elected officials and candidates and anyone else who speaks up on matters of public importance.
- Vote 411: Provided by the League of women Voters Education Fund, Vote 411 is a “one-stop-shop” for election-related information. You can check your registration, find your polling place, and learn more about the candidates and issues you’ll vote on. The League does not support or oppose any candidates or parties.
- Voting While Unhoused.
- Restoration of Rights – Ex-offender Voting Rights.
- Vote Absentee in the Military and US Citizens overseas: How to vote absentee in the military and US citizens overseas.