Lancaster, Missouri Public Records

Residents can register through multiple channels: online at https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/register, in person at the Schuyler County Clerk's office, by mail using forms from the Missouri Secretary of State's website, or at state agencies including the DMV. Registration requires U.S. Citizenship, Missouri residency, and being at least 17.5 years old, though voters must turn 18 by Election Day. Those with felony convictions must have voting rights restored before registering. The deadline is 27 days before any election. Missouri law requires photo identification at the polls. Acceptable forms include a Missouri driver license, Missouri non-driver license, other government-issued photo ID, military ID, or passport. Voters without acceptable ID can still cast a provisional ballot. As an unincorporated community, Lancaster holds no municipal elections for mayor or city council. Instead, residents vote in federal contests for President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives. State elections cover Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Auditor, State Treasurer, and seats in both chambers of the General Assembly. County elections determine who serves as County Commissioners, Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney, County Clerk, Recorder of Deeds, Treasurer, Collector, Assessor, Coroner, and Public Administrator. Voters also weigh in on judicial retention and school board seats for the Schuyler County R-1 School District. Finding your polling place is straightforward through the Missouri Secretary of State's lookup tool at https://voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov/portal/ or by calling the Schuyler County Clerk at (660) 457-3525. Given Schuyler County's small population, polling locations are limited, with most voters assigned to precincts in or near Queen City, Downing, Lancaster, or Glenwood. Missouri law, specifically Chapter 115 RSMo, designates various election records as public information. Voter registration lists can be purchased by candidates and political committees, though sensitive details like Social Security numbers are redacted. Campaign finance reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission are searchable at https://mec.mo.gov/. Precinct-level results are posted by both the Secretary of State and county clerks. Candidate filing information is available through the Clerk's office. Schuyler County's political lean became clear in the November 2024 presidential election, where strong Republican support aligned with broader rural Missouri trends. While candidate filing won't happen until closer to the date, Lancaster voters can expect races for all nine U.S. House seats including the 6th Congressional District which covers Schuyler County. No U.S. State races likely won't include Governor, which follows a 2028 cycle, but may feature other statewide constitutional offices. Legislative contests will include Missouri State Senate District 18 and State House District 4, depending on redistricting outcomes and election schedules. County elected positions such as Sheriff, Clerk, and other constitutional officers serving four-year terms may appear depending on when those terms expire. School board positions could also be on the ballot. Absentee voting in Missouri operates under Section 115.277 RSMo and requires voters to meet specific criteria: absence on Election Day, incapacity or confinement due to illness or disability, religious belief or practice, employment as an election authority, incarceration while still eligible to vote, or participation in the address confidentiality program. Applications are available from the Schuyler County Clerk or at https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections. Mail ballot applications must reach the clerk by the second Wednesday before Election Day. Notarization or signature verification is mandatory. Missouri doesn't offer no-excuse absentee voting, though 2022 legislation slightly expanded access. For specific instructions and deadlines, Lancaster voters should contact the Schuyler County Clerk at (660) 457-3525.