Missouri’s 2024 Presidential Primary

Across the United States of America, states generally select presidential candidates during presidential primary season in one of two ways:

During a caucus, party members gather in person at specific locations on a specific date and engage in discussions and voting to choose delegates who will go on to represent their preference at the county, district, and state conventions. Party members have the opportunity to voice their opinions and persuade others to support their preferred candidate.

In a primary election, voters across the state can cast ballots for their preferred candidates just as they would in any other election. This system provides a more straightforward and accessible method for voters to participate in the candidate selection process. Voters do not have to attend a potentially hours-long special event at a set location to participate; they can vote during set polling hours, and depending on local laws may be able to vote by mail or absentee. In an open primary, voters can request any party ballot during a primary election, regardless of their registered party affiliation. In a closed primary, only registered members of a party can vote for candidates on that party’s ballot.

If you’re a Missouri voter, for decades you’ve been able to vote for a candidate for president in an open presidential primary, in a state-run election, overseen by your county election board, at your usual polling place. However, in 2022, Republicans in the Missouri State Legislature changed Missouri election law with HB 1878, which eliminated Missouri’s state-run presidential primary election, requiring state political parties to create their own party-run, party-funded systems for choosing presidential nominees.

The Missouri Democratic Party is working to make sure that even after this change in the law, you will be able to make your voice heard in the presidential primary process.

In Missouri in 2024, the Missouri Democratic Party will hold a Party Run Presidential Preference Primary. Both registered Democrats and independent voters will be allowed to participate in the 2024 Missouri Democratic Primary. (Voters who are registered as Republicans will not be allowed to vote in the 2024 Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary; if you are a registered Republican, please contact your local party representative to find out how you can participate in this year’s Missouri Republican Caucus.)

Voters can participate in the primary by requesting a mail-in ballot from the Missouri Democratic Party by March 12, 2024 and returning it before the primary date on March 23, or by voting in-person at party-run polling locations across the state on March 23, 2024.

After the March primary, in April, Missouri Democrats will hold mass meetings in counties, wards, and townships across the state to elect delegates and alternates to represent presidential candidates and their local community at the Missouri State Democratic Convention. These mass meetings are caucus-style events, meaning that participants show up in person to participate. Note: You must first vote in the primary in order to vote or run as a delegate or alternate at a mass meeting. You can learn more about participating in the mass meetings for Queeny, Lafayette, and Missouri River Townships here.

At the Missouri Democratic Convention, the state-level delegates will then vote to choose delegates to represent Missouri at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

See the list of important dates below for more details.

Important Dates

Why party run instead of by the state?

Missouri Republicans, as part of the sweeping election law passed in 2022, eliminated the state-run presidential primary, turning it over to the parties.

Why a primary and not a caucus?

The law allows parties to determine how the delegates are selected. Missouri Democrats believe all Democrats should be allowed to have a voice in who will represent us and so are making the process as inclusive as possible.

Do I have to register as a Democrat to participate?

To vote in the primary or participate in the mass meetings, you do not need to register as a Democrat, but your party affiliation must be undeclared, independent, or Democrat.

However, if you do register as a Democrat by Jan. 22, you will automatically receive a mail-in ballot and info packet. Also, to be selected as a state or national delegate, you must be registered as a Democrat.