Effective - 28 Aug 1997
115.193. Name stricken from register, conditions — notice, method, contents — improper removal from records, may be permitted to vote — inactive voter designation. — 1. Upon completion of a canvass as provided for in this chapter, a registered voter's name shall not be removed from the list of registered voters on the ground that the voter has changed residence unless:
(1) The voter confirms in writing that the voter has changed residence to a place outside the election authority's jurisdiction in which the voter is registered; or
(2) The voter fails to respond to a notice described in this section and has not voted in an election during the period beginning on the date of the notice and ending on the day after the date of the second general election that occurs after the date of the notice.
2. The notice referred to in subsection 1, subdivision (2) of this section shall contain a postage prepaid and preaddressed return card, sent by forwardable mail, on which the voter may state the voter's current address.
3. The notice shall also contain the following statements:
"(1) Any voter who has not changed his or her residence, or has changed residence but remained in the same election authority's jurisdiction, shall return the card not later than the fourth Wednesday prior to the next election. If the card is not returned by this date, oral or written affirmation of the voter's address may be required at the polling place before the voter will be permitted to vote in an election during the period beginning on the date of the notice and ending on the day after the date of the second general election that occurs after the date of the notice. Any voter who does not vote in an election during that period, will have his or her name removed from the list of eligible voters;
(2) For additional information on registering to vote, contact the election authority located in the county of your current residence. If you reside in the City of St. Louis, contact the St. Louis City election board."
4. If the election authority believes that the name of any voter was improperly removed from the registration records, it may, by telephone or in writing on election day, authorize election judges to permit the voter to vote. The voter may be required to execute an affidavit of qualification on a form prescribed by the election authority before being permitted to vote.
5. An election authority may designate any voter as an inactive voter if the election authority receives from the United States Postal Service notification that the voter no longer resides at the address last known to the election authority and no forwarding address is available, or the voter fails to respond to the notice authorized in subdivision (2) of subsection 1 of this section within thirty days after the election authority sends such notice. Such voter may be designated as an inactive voter only until:
(1) The voter returns such notice to the election authority;
(2) The voter provides the election authority with his or her new address pursuant to the provisions of this chapter;
(3) The voter provides a written affirmation that the voter has not changed residence; or
(4) The election authority receives sufficient information to remove the voter from the list of registered voters pursuant to this section or section 115.165, or return the voter to the active list of registered voters in the jurisdiction.
6. An election authority may exclude inactive voters to determine only:
(1) The number of ballots to be printed pursuant to section 115.247;
(2) The proportional costs of elections; or
(3) Mailing information to registered voters.
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(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 7.335, A.L. 1982 S.B. 526, A.L. 1994 H.B. 1411, A.L. 1997 S.B. 132)