A bill that changing Missouri's election laws makes numerous changes ranging from small to big. Overall, we believe the omnibus bill will have a positive impact on our state's election process.
The bill has passed both chambers, but has not been sent to the governor, yet.
One of the larger changes would allow voters to request absentee ballots by email. State officials said it's a needed step to modernize our election process.
With more people voting absentee these days, we also see it as one more way to make voting more accessible to all registered voters.
The measure also would, potentially, reduce the amount of time candidates would have in order to get their names on ballots during special elections, the Associated Press reported. That would speed up the special election process.
Rep. Tracy McCreery, a St. Louis Democrat, voted against the bill because she was concerned only giving candidates three weeks to collect signatures to qualify for a special election could discourage independent candidates from running, the Associated Press reported. Currently, someone must file for candidacy just by the midway point between when a special election is called and when voting begins, a window which can last more than three weeks.
She said it could be "nearly impossible" to get the needed signatures in that time. To run for statewide office as an independent, candidates need at least 10,000 signatures from registered voters.
We agree that the time is short and creates an uphill battle to get the signatures. However, that's the idea. Candidates must prove that they have enough support to be considered serious candidates.
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft praised the bill and said a provision that changes reimbursement deadlines potentially would reduce the amount of time local election officials would have to wait for money they were owed by the state. He said the bill also would permit the secretary of state to work with local election authorities to ensure timely payment of election costs proportionally owed by the state.
It also would extend the cut-off date to make changes to a ballot from 6 weeks to 8 weeks, reducing the chance county clerks and election boards will have to reprint ballots, Ashcroft said.
We agree with him that it will aid in transparency and accountability, in addition to keeping our election process up to date with changing technology.