🗳️ August Election 101: What Is a Primary Election?

The August 4 election is Missouri’s Primary Election.

A primary election helps decide which candidates move forward to the November General Election.

Think of it this way:

August = voters help choose each party’s candidates

November = voters choose who is elected to take office

In August, voters will choose one ballot type:

✅ Republican

✅ Democratic

✅ Libertarian

✅ Nonpartisan/issues-only

You do not have to be registered with a political party to choose a party ballot.

However, because this is a primary, you may only vote within the ballot type you choose. You cannot vote for a Republican candidate in one race and a Democratic candidate in another race during the August primary.

The candidates who win their party races in August generally move forward to the November ballot.

Helpful source: https://www.usa.gov/voting-political-party