Lees Summit, Missouri Public Records

Missouri residents can register to vote online at www.sos.mo.gov/elections/govotemissouri, by mail, or in person at the election board office, with registration closing 27 days before any election. First-time voters who register by mail must provide identification documentation. The state does not require party registration for primary elections; voters can choose either party's ballot at the polls. Municipal elections in the city determine the mayor and city council members, with both serving four-year terms. The next municipal election is scheduled for April 2025, when mayoral and council seats will be on the ballot. Candidate information, sample ballots, and local ballot measures are posted at www.lees-summit.mo.us and through the Jackson County election board. Voters can find their assigned polling place using the online locator at www.sos.mo.gov/elections/pollfinder or by calling the election board. Missouri is a traditional in-person voting state, though no-excuse absentee voting is available. Voters can request absentee ballots for any reason by submitting an application to the election board by mail or in person, with ballots mailed to voters who must return them by mail or in person by Election Day. Public election records in Missouri include voter registration lists (available with restrictions under Section 115.157 RSMo), campaign finance reports searchable at www.mec.mo.gov for state and local candidates, candidate filing information, and precinct-level election results published after each election. In the November 2024 presidential election, Jackson County reported approximately 61% voter turnout with over 230,000 ballots cast from more than 375,000 registered voters, reflecting strong civic engagement in the Kansas City metro area. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, voters in the city and Jackson County will decide several significant races: Missouri does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026, but all U.S. House seats including Missouri's 5th District (covering the area) will be contested; Governor Mike Kehoe's term continues through 2028 so the governorship is not on the 2026 ballot, but all 163 Missouri House seats and half of the 34 Missouri Senate seats will be up for election; county voters will elect the County Executive, County Prosecutor, several County Legislators representing local districts, and various county administrative offices; and depending on timing, school board positions and bond issues may also appear. Absentee voting in Missouri requires requesting a ballot from the election authority either in person up to the second Wednesday before the election or by mail with applications due by the second Wednesday before Election Day; ballots must be returned by 7:00 PM on Election Day either by mail (postmarked by Election Day is not sufficient—ballots must be received) or in person at designated drop-off locations.