NOTICES OF ELECTION

(Section 115.125)

The act allows a notice of election to be sent by email.

This provision is substantially similar to a provision in SCS/SB 182 (2025), SB 926 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 1525 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2140 (2024), and a provision in HCS/HB 2895 (2024).

CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINES - LOCAL OFFICES

(Section 115.127)

Under current law, the period for filing a declaration of candidacy in certain political subdivisions and special districts is from 8:00 a.m. on the 17th Tuesday prior to the election until 5:00 p.m. on the 14th Tuesday prior to the election. This act changes that period to 8:00 a.m. on the 16th Tuesday prior to the election until 5:00 p.m. on the 13th Tuesday prior to the election, unless the 13th Tuesday prior to an election falls on a holiday, then the closing of filing shall be at 5:00 p.m. on the next day that is not a holiday.

This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 182 (2025), SB 774 (2024), a provision in SB 926 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 1525 (2024), HB 1604 (2024), a provision in SCS/HB 2084 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2140 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2206 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2895 (2024), a provision in SCS/SB 346 (2023), and CCS/HS/HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 96 (2023) and substantially similar to HB 2225 (2024), HCS/HB 1214 (2023), provisions in the perfected HCS/HBs 267 & 347 (2023), and HCS/HB 783 (2023).

TESTING OF ELECTION EQUIPMENT

(Section 115.233)

Current law requires, in any election in which an electronic voting system is to be used, an election authority to have the automatic tabulating equipment tested within 14 days prior to the election to ascertain that the equipment is in compliance with the law and that it will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all questions. This act changes the timeline for testing such that it must be completed at least 14 days, but no less than one week prior to the election.

ABSENTEE VOTING

(Sections 115.277 and 115.284)

The act allows eligible covered voters to vote absentee by submitting a federal postcard application at the office of the election authority on election day even though the person is not registered. Interstate former residents and new residents may vote by absentee ballot at the office of the election authority on election day for the offices for which such voters are entitled to vote. This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 182 (2025), SB 926 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 1525 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2140 (2024), and a provision in HCS/HB 2895 (2024).

The act provides that all lists of absentee ballot applications for persons with permanent disabilities shall be kept confidential.

This provision is identical to provisions in SCS/SB 182 (2025), SB 926 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 1525 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2140 (2024), and a provision in HCS/HB 2895 (2024), substantially similar to a provision in SCS/SB 346 (2023), and similar to a provision in the perfected HCS/HBs 267 & 347 (2023), a provision in HCS/HB 783 (2023), and a provision in CCS/HS/HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 96 (2023).

VOTER IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

(Section 115.427)

The act makes accommodations for individuals who appear at the office of an election authority to vote absentee and fail to present a form of personal identification by explicitly allowing such voters to cast a provisional ballot that will only be counted upon the voter returning to the office of the election authority by 7:00 p.m. on election day and presenting a form of personal identification for voting.

CASTING PROVISIONAL BALLOTS

(Section 115.430)

The act expands a provision of law governing the casting and counting of provisional ballots to all public elections, rather than just particular primary or general elections.

This provision is identical to provisions in SCS/SB 182 (2025), HCS/HB 1525 (2024), HB 2052 (2024), HCS/HB 2140 (2024), HCS/HB 2895 (2024), SCS/SB 346 (2023), the perfected HCS/HBs 267 & 347 (2023), and a provision in HCS/HB 783 (2023).

WRITE-IN CANDIDATES - REPEAL OF EXEMPTION FOR ELECTIONS WITHOUT PARTY CANDIDATES

(Section 115.453)

Current law provides that votes for write-in candidates are only counted for candidates who have filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate. Current law also provides an exemption to this requirement in instances where no candidate has filed for the office in question. This act repeals the exemption so that write-in candidates are only counted when a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate has been filed with the proper election authority.

This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 182 (2025).

SCOTT SVAGERA

Government entities are additionally prohibited from being members of or participate in programs run by organizations that engage in election administration and receive foreign funding. Except as otherwise provided in the act, a government entity or election officer shall not join the membership of any entity, participate in any program, or purchase any services from any entity if such membership, program, or service relates to the administration of elections unless the entity complies with certain certification requirements as described in the act.

An election officer who, in his or her private capacity, joins or considers joining the membership of a person, or participates or considers participating in any program described above shall disclose his or her participation or membership, or potential participation or membership, and have the participation or potential participation or membership considered in a public hearing, and disclosed on his or her public website as provided by this act.

Violation of these provisions is a class B misdemeanor. Moreover, any registered voter in the state is permitted to bring a cause of action to enforce this act.

The act preempts any local law in conflict with this act.

This act is substantially similar to provisions in HCS/HB 794 (2025).

SCOTT SVAGERA

VOTER REGISTRATION - DOCUMENTARY PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP(Sections 115.013 to 115.160)

The act requires documentary proof of United States citizenship, as that term is defined in the act, in order to register to vote, provided that persons already registered to vote and those seeking to transfer voter registration within the state are not required to provide such proof.

Additionally, all information required to be provided on a voter registration form shall be personally provided by the person seeking to register.

MAINTENANCE OF VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS (Sections 115.195 and 115.221)

The clerk of each circuit court in the state is required to prepare and transmit to the SOS a complete list of all persons who identify themselves as not being citizens of the United States when called to jury duty. This report shall be sent on a monthly basis.

If an election authority determines that a person who is not eligible to vote registered to vote or voted in an election, the election authority shall execute and deliver to the Attorney General, SOS, and the relevant prosecuting or circuit attorney an affidavit stating the relevant facts.

REFERRAL OF VIOLATION OF ELECTION LAWS (Section 115.642)

Current law provides that if the SOS finds that reasonable grounds appear that the alleged election offense was committed, the SOS may issue a probable cause statement and refer the offense to the appropriate prosecuting attorney. This act permits referral to the appropriate prosecuting attorney or the Attorney General.

This act is substantially similar to SCS/SB 62 (2025).

SCOTT SVAGERA

This act has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2028.

This act is similar to SB 485 (2025), HB 539 (2025), HB 2536 (2024), SB 234 (2023), and provisions in SB 740 (2022), HCS/HB 2306 (2022), HB 361 (2019), and HCS/HB 1424 (2018).

OLIVIA SHANNON

In the case of any bond election, if an election contest is not filed within the time period prescribed by law (not later than thirty days after the official announcement of the election result), then all conditions of state election law shall be deemed to have been complied with in the issuance of the bond.

The act repeals specific provisions for notice of special elections and modifies the legal notice required for all elections by requiring local election authorities to publish notice in at least one qualified newspaper circulated in the jurisdiction, except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this act. Additionally, notice must be published twice during the 6 weeks prior to the election with at least one of the notices including the location of polling places. In lieu of publishing notice of an election in a newspaper, election authorities have the option of mailing legal notice to each registered voter within 6 weeks of an election.

SCOTT SVAGERA

This act is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 182 (2025), HB 208 (2025), SB 774 (2024), a provision in SB 926 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 1525 (2024), HB 1604 (2024), a provision in SCS/HB 2084 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2140 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2206 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2895 (2024), a provision in SCS/SB 346 (2023), and CCS/HS/HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 96 (2023) and substantially similar to HB 2225 (2024), HCS/HB 1214 (2023), provisions in the perfected HCS/HBs 267 & 347 (2023), and HCS/HB 783 (2023).

SCOTT SVAGERA

PUBLIC HOLIDAY (Section 9.001)

The act makes the general election a public holiday.

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY - ELECTION EQUIPMENT (Section 115.013)

The act modifies the definitions applicable to election equipment to provide that equipment is not capable of connecting to the internet through Bluetooth or any other wireless technology.

VOTER REGISTRATION - DOCUMENTARY PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP (Various Sections)

This act requires documentary proof of United States citizenship, as that term is defined in the act, in order to register to vote, provided that persons already registered to vote and those seeking to transfer voter registration within the state are not required to provide such proof.

Additionally, all information required to be provided on a voter registration form shall be personally provided by the person seeking to register.

These provisions are identical to certain provisions in SCS/SB 62 (2025).

LIVESTREAM OF BALLOT COUNTING (Sections 115.449 and 115.477)

The counting of ballots is required to be recorded and streamed on the website of the respective election authority.

AUTOMATIC RECOUNTS (Section 115.601)

The act requires an automatic recount in any election decided by fewer than 500 votes.

SCOTT SVAGERA

The act allows for the use of voting machines designed for accessibility by individuals with disabilities. Such machines shall comply with federal Help America Vote Act. Additionally, such machines shall print out a paper ballot showing distinguishing marks next to the voter's choices. The paper ballot printed out shall be identical to the paper ballot used in all other instances at the election.

The Secretary of State shall maintain a database containing the names of all individuals who are eligible to use a voting machine designed for accessibility. The database shall be updated as changes are made and every 30 days election authorities shall be given an updated list of registered voters in the jurisdiction of the election authority who are eligible to use such machines.

This act is identical to SB 917 (2024) and certain provisions in SB 832 (2024) and SB 98 (2023).

SCOTT SVAGERA

This act contains an emergency clause.

SCOTT SVAGERA

This act is identical to SB 670 (2025) and substantially similar to HB 417 (2025), provisions in HCS/HBs 126 & 367 (2025), provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 507 (2025), provisions in SB 1480 (2024), SB 1120 (2024), HCS/HB 1525 (2024), HB 2618 (2024), HCS/HB 2895 (2024), SB 602 (2023), HB 267 (2023), HB 347 (2023), HB 738 (2023) and certain provisions in CCS/HS/HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 96 (2023).

SCOTT SVAGERA

GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION DAY

Under current law, elections to elect officers of political subdivisions and special districts are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in April each year. This act requires all municipal elections to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November each year if they are held for the purpose of electing officers of political subdivisions and special districts or to decide a ballot measure submitted solely to the qualified voters of a particular political subdivision or special district.

These provisions are identical to SB 150 (2021) and similar to HB 920 (2021) and provisions in SB 414 (2021).

PARTISAN LOCAL ELECTIONS

This act also modifies provisions relating to the conduct of local elections. Current law provides that municipal offices are elected on a nonpartisan basis. This act requires all candidates for offices in cities, towns, villages, and townships to declare a political party affiliation when filing for office.

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 248 (2025), SB 202 (2023), HB 1203 (2023), and SB 1049 (2022) and similar to HB 1640 (2022) and SB 414 (2021).

SCOTT SVAGERA

The act further modifies provisions for school board elections. Under current law, elections for school board members are held on either the general municipal election day or such day as is specified in the county charter, with terms of office ranging from three years to six years, depending on the district. This act requires all such elections to be held at the November general election and makes all such terms four years.

This act has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027.

This act contains provisions identical to SB 485 (2025) and similar to HB 539 (2025), HB 2536 (2024), SB 234 (2023), and provisions in SB 740 (2022), HCS/HB 2306 (2022), HB 361 (2019), and HCS/HB 1424 (2018).

SCOTT SVAGERA

SCOTT SVAGERA

CLOSED PRIMARIES

Under current law, at each primary election a voter is entitled to pick any ballot among the various established political parties, regardless of the voter's political party affiliation or unaffiliation. This act stipulates that a voter is only entitled to cast a ballot in the primary of the political party with which the voter is affiliated, according to the voter registration.

The act permits a voter to change political party affiliation at any time, provided that changes made less than 23 weeks prior to the primary election will not take effect until after such election has taken place. A person who has not previously registered to vote in Missouri and who registers to vote after the last day to change party affiliation but before the last day to register to vote may vote in the primary election if the person chooses a political party affiliation or unaffiliation upon registering to vote.

A person registered to vote prior to the effective date of this act shall be considered to be unaffiliated with a political party unless the person votes in the primary election held in August 2028, in which case the election authority must change the person's voter registration to reflect that the ballot chosen by the person is the political party with which the person is affiliated.

The act requires any person who files a declaration of candidacy as a party candidate for nomination or election to any office to be affiliated with that political party no later than twenty-three weeks prior to the last Tuesday in February (the opening of candidate filing) immediately preceding the primary election in question. Likewise, any person running as an independent candidate or as the candidate for a new party shall be registered as unaffiliated as of the same deadline.

Current law allows party nominating committees of any established political party to select a party candidate under certain situations. This act requires any candidate selected by the committee to be affiliated with such party.

These provisions are substantially similar to HB 1128 (2025), HB 1156 (2025), SB 1140 (2024), HB 1410 (2024), SB 392 (2023), SB 240 (2023), HB 31 (2023), SB 907 (2022), SB 154 (2021), HB 1450 (2022), SB 571 (2020), HB 1258 (2020), HB 1639 (2020), SB 109 (2019), and HCS/HBs 26 & 922 (2019).

PARTISAN LOCAL ELECTIONS

This act also modifies provisions relating to the conduct of local elections. Current law provides that municipal offices are elected on a nonpartisan basis. This act requires all candidates for offices in cities, towns, villages, and townships to declare a political party affiliation when filing for office.

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 86 (2025), SB 202 (2023), HB 1203 (2023), and SB 1049 (2022) and similar to HB 1640 (2022) and SB 414 (2021).

SCOTT SVAGERA

VOTER REGISTRATION

(Sections 115.013 through 115.221)

Current law permits an election authority to remove a registered voter's name from the list of registered voters on the precinct register on the ground that the voter has changed residence under certain circumstances. This act requires, rather than permits, such removal if:

• The voter confirms in writing that the voter has changed residence to a place outside the election authority's jurisdiction in which the voter is registered; or

• The voter fails to respond to a notice and has not engaged in voter activity, as that term is defined in the act, during the period beginning on the date of the notice and ending on the day after the date of the second general election that occurs after the date of the notice.

State agencies are required to provide information and data to the Secretary of State (SOS) that the SOS deems necessary to maintain the statewide voter registration database. Additionally, the clerk of each circuit court shall, on or before the 10th day of each month, prepare and transmit to the SOS a complete list of all persons who identify themselves as not being citizens of the United States during their qualification to serve as a juror during the preceding calendar month in that county.

The SOS is required to enter into agreements to share information or data that is in the possession of the SOS with other states or groups of states, as the SOS considers necessary, to maintain the statewide voter registration database. The SOS shall ensure that any information or data provided to the SOS that is confidential remains confidential while in the possession of the SOS.

Each election authority is required to investigate the qualifications of any person who has not engaged in voter activity within the preceding two calendar years. Furthermore, if the election authority determines that a registered voter has not engaged in voter activity within the two preceding calendar years, the election authority must include such registered voter in any canvass.

The act additionally reorganizes and consolidates various provisions relating to voter registration list maintenance throughout the various election laws.

These provisions are substantially similar to SB 1025 (2024), SB 44 (2023), provisions in SB 695 (2022), SB 1065 (2022), and SB 137 (2021).

OFFICE OF ELECTION CRIMES AND SECURITY

(Section 115.642)

This act creates the Office of Election Crimes and Security within the Secretary of State's office. The SOS is responsible for appointing a director and investigators for the Office. The Office is given the following responsibilities and authority:

• The Office shall respond to notifications and complaints alleging a violation of state election laws;

• The Office shall review notices and reports of alleged violations of state election law and conduct investigations as deemed necessary;

• The Office shall initiate independent inquiries and conduct investigations into alleged violations of state election law; and

• The Office shall oversee a voter fraud hotline.

The Office is given subpoena power in the course of investigating complaints pursuant to this act. If any person refuses to comply with a subpoena issued pursuant to this act, the Secretary of State may seek to enforce the subpoena before a court of competent jurisdiction. The court may issue an order requiring the person to produce the documents relating to the matter under investigation or in question. Any person who fails to comply with the order may be held in contempt of court. Any investigator conducting an investigation into an alleged violation of this act shall not be restricted from entering any polling place or office of election authority under investigation.

If, during the course of an investigation, the Office determines that there may be a violation of any criminal law or state election law, the Office shall submit its findings and investigation to the Attorney General and respective prosecuting attorney for further investigation or prosecution. The Attorney General is specifically given investigative authority and concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute any election offense.

The Office is responsible for preparing and delivering a report, not later than January 15th of each year, to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate disclosing the details of complaints filed with the Office.

This provision is substantially similar to SB 724 (2024) and HB 1833 (2024) and similar to SB 350 (2023).

FEDERAL ELECTION COMMUNICATIONS

(Section 115.1500)

Any state agency, whether that agency is involved in elections or not, or any person, group, or entity charged by the state to administer any official election occurring within the state, who receives or responds to a communication, as defined in the act, with the United States Department of Justice or any other federal executive branch agency related to new or existing voting or election laws, shall provide notice to the Governor and General Assembly of this communication within five business days.

This provision is substantially similar to a provision in SB 235 (2023).

IMPLEMENTATION OF FEDERAL ELECTION GUIDANCE

(Section 115.1505)

Any person, group, or entity charged by the state of Missouri to administer any official election occurring within the state who intends to implement any new federal election guidance, as that term is defined in the act, shall provide notice to the General Assembly of its intent to do so at least 30 days before implementing the guidance. Furthermore, all new federal election guidance shall be approved by concurrent resolution approved by a majority of each house of the General Assembly before it is implemented. It shall be presumed that the General Assembly has approved the implementation of the new federal election guidance if the General Assembly fails to vote on a concurrent resolution within 30 days from when notice is provided.

A violation of this provision shall result in a fine in the amount of $5,000 to be levied every 30 days until the implemented guidance is formally withdrawn.

This provision is substantially similar to a provision in SB 235 (2023).

FEDERAL ELECTION FUNDS

(Section 115.1510)

Any person, group, or entity charged by the state to administer any official election occurring within Missouri who intends to accept or disperse federal election funds, as that term is defined in the act, shall provide notice to the General Assembly of its intent to do so at least 30 days before accepting the funds. If funds have already been accepted, then notice must be provided to the General Assembly 30 days before the funds are dispersed. Furthermore, all new federal election funds shall be approved by concurrent resolution approved by a majority of each house of the General Assembly before they may be accepted or dispersed by any person, group, or entity charged by the state to administer any official election occurring within the state.

It shall be presumed that the General Assembly has approved the acceptance and dispersal of new federal election funds if the General Assembly fails to vote on a concurrent resolution within 30 days from when notice is provided.

A violation of this provision shall result in a fine in the amount of the new federal election funds accepted or dispersed in violation of this provision plus an additional $1,000.

The act repeals certain provisions relating to the administration of election funds. (Sections 115.074 and 115.078)

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 235 (2023).

This act is effective January 1, 2027.

SCOTT SVAGERA

This constitutional amendment requires nonrecall petitions and referred measures to be held on a general election, a municipal election, or on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years. The amendment authorizes districts to consolidate ballot issues and allows voters to approve delays up to four years in voting on ballot issues, provided that district actions taking during the delay shall not extend beyond that period.

The amendment requires a district to mail notice to each active registered elector with specific titles, as described in the amendment. Such notices shall include a summary both for and against the proposal.

In addition to existing constitutional requirements for voter approval of new or increased taxes, this amendment requires voter approval for any new tax, tax rate increase, mill levy above the prior year rate, valuation for assessment ratio increase for a property class, extension of an expiring tax, or a tax policy change directly causing a net tax revenue gain to any district. Voter approval shall also be required for the creation of any multiple fiscal year direct or indirect debt or other financial obligation whatsoever without adequate present cash reserves pledged irrevocably and held for payments in all future fiscal years.

The amendment requires each district to reserve a portion of its fiscal year spending to be used only for declared emergencies, as described in the amendment.

The amendment places a limit on the percentage change in state appropriations equal to inflation plus the percentage change in state population in the prior calendar year, adjusted for any revenue changes approved by voters. The amendment also places a limit on the annual percentage change in a local district fiscal year spending equal to inflation plus local growth.

If revenue from sources not excluded from fiscal year spending exceeds the limits in dollars for that fiscal year, the excess shall be refunded in the next fiscal year unless voters approve a revenue change as an offset. Initial district bases shall be current fiscal year spending and property tax collected for tax year 2025. Qualification or disqualification as an enterprise, as defined in the amendment, shall change district bases and future year limits. Future creation of district bonded debt shall increase, and retiring or refinancing district bonded debt shall lower, fiscal year spending and property tax revenue by the annual debt service so funded. Debt service changes, reductions, refunds, and voter-approved revenue changes are dollar amounts that are exceptions to any district base.

The amendment prohibits new or increased transfer tax rates on real property. The amendment also prohibits any new state real property tax or local income tax.

The amendment authorizes districts to enact cumulative uniform exemptions and credits to reduce or end business personal property taxes.

The amendment requires real estate sales prices for past or future sales by a lender or government to be kept as public records.

The amendment allows a local district to reduce or end its subsidy to any program delegated to it by the General Assembly for administration. For current programs, the state may require 90 days notice and that the adjustment occur in a maximum of three equal annual installments.

This amendment is identical to HJR 169 (2026).

JOSH NORBERG