**What is an open primary? What am I voting for?**
Missouri is using the open primary system this year. In an open primary, any registered voter may vote for candidates of either party, regardless of their registered party affiliation. Only one candidate can represent each party in the general election, no matter what position they’re running for. This typically only affects voters registered as independents, because they cannot participate in a closed primary.The voter may not, however, vote in more than one party in a primary. In a primary, you’re voting for which candidate you want to receive a particular party’s nomination. For example, if you wanted Ted Cruz to run as the Republican candidate in the 2016 presidential election, you would vote for him.
**Where/When do I vote?**
You can find a list of local polling locations on the [Boone County website](https://www.showmeboone.com/clerk/PollingLocations.pdf). The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mar. 15.
**How do I vote in my local elections back home (non-Missouri Residents)?**
You must request an absentee ballot from your local county clerk’s office. The rules for absentee ballots vary from state to state, however it should not be too difficult to acquire one as a student at an out-of-state university. Go to your hometown county clerk office’s website in order to find information on absentee voting.
####For future elections, in case you forgot to register to vote
**How Do I Register to Vote?**
If you are at least 17 1/2 years old, a resident of the United States and Boone County, you can register to vote the following ways:
At the Associated Students of the University of Missouri office in the basement of the Student Center
Through [TurboVote](https://mizzou.turbovote.org/register), an online voter registration platform partnered with MU
At the Boone County Clerk’s Office at 801 East Walnut Street or [on their website](https://www.showmeboone.com/clerk/VoterRegApp.asp)
**What if I’m an out of state student and not a resident of Missouri, can I still register?**
Yes! Missouri has no residency requirements to vote. You just have to register by the fourth Wednesday prior to an election to vote in that election. Also, all changes in your voter information (address change, etc.) can be done through the county clerk’s office.