Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Missouri

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Note: This article is not intended to serve as an exhaustive guide to running for public office. Individuals should contact their state election agencies for further information.

In order to get on the ballot in Missouri, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

  1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
  2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
  3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in Missouri. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, see "Ballot access requirements for presidential candidates in Missouri." Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

DocumentIcon.jpg See state election laws

Year-specific filing information

2024

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Missouri in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Missouri, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Missouri U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $500.00 3/26/2024 Source
Missouri U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 10,000 N/A 7/29/2024 Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Missouri in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Missouri, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Missouri U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $300.00 3/26/2024 Source
Missouri U.S. House Unaffiliated 2% of total votes cast for the office in the last election, or 10,000, whichever is less N/A 7/29/2024 Source


For filing information from previous years, click "[Show more]" below.

Show more

2022

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Missouri in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Missouri, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2022
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Missouri U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $500.00 3/29/2022 Source
Missouri U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 10,000 N/A 8/1/2022 Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Missouri in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Missouri, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2022
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Missouri U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $300.00 3/29/2022 Source
Missouri U.S. House Unaffiliated 2% of total votes cast for the office in the last election, or 10,000, whichever is less N/A 8/1/2022 Source

2020

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Missouri in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Missouri, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2020
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
Missouri 1st Congressional District Established party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri 1st Congressional District Unaffiliated 5,488 2% of all voters who voted for this office in the last election N/A N/A 7/28/2020 Source
Missouri 2nd Congressional District Established party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri 2nd Congressional District Unaffiliated 7,521 2% of all voters who voted for this office in the last election N/A N/A 7/29/2020 Source
Missouri 3rd Congressional District Established party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri 3rd Congressional District Unaffiliated 6,492 2% of all voters who voted for this office in the last election N/A N/A 7/30/2020 Source
Missouri 4th Congressional District Established party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri 4th Congressional District Unaffiliated 5,866 2% of all voters who voted for this office in the last election N/A N/A 7/31/2020 Source
Missouri 5th Congressional District Established party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri 5th Congressional District Unaffiliated 5,676 2% of all voters who voted for this office in the last election N/A N/A 8/1/2020 Source
Missouri 6th Congressional District Established party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri 6th Congressional District Unaffiliated 6,108 2% of all voters who voted for this office in the last election N/A N/A 8/2/2020 Source
Missouri 7th Congressional District Established party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri 7th Congressional District Unaffiliated 5,929 2% of all voters who voted for this office in the last election N/A N/A 8/3/2020 Source
Missouri 8th Congressional District Established party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri 8th Congressional District Unaffiliated 5,288 2% of all voters who voted for this office in the last election N/A N/A 8/4/2020 Source

State House

The table below details filing requirements for Missouri House of Representatives candidates in the 2020 election cycle.

Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020
Chamber name Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Missouri House of Representatives Qualified party N/A $50.00 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri House of Representatives Unaffiliated 2% of votes cast at the last election for the office being sought N/A 7/27/2020 Source

State Senate

The table below details filing requirements for Missouri State Senate candidates in the 2020 election cycle.

Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020
Chamber name Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Missouri State Senate Qualified party N/A $100.00 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri State Senate Unaffiliated 2% of votes cast at the last election for the office being sought N/A 7/27/2020 Source

2018

See also: State and federal candidate filing deadlines for 2018 and Missouri elections, 2018

See below for 2018 candidate filing deadlines.

March 27, 2018

2016

See also: Missouri elections, 2016

The calendar below lists important dates for political candidates in Missouri in 2016.

Dates and requirements for candidates in 2016
Deadline Event type Event description
November 7, 2015 Ballot access Filing period opens for presidential preference primary
December 22, 2015 Ballot access Filing period closes for presidential preference primary
January 15, 2016 Campaign finance January quarterly report due (for period ending December 31, 2015)
February 23, 2016 Ballot access Filing period opens for primary election
March 15, 2016 Election date Presidential preference primary election
March 29, 2016 Ballot access Filing period closes for primary election
April 15, 2016 Campaign finance April quarterly report due (for period ending March 31, 2016)
July 15, 2016 Campaign finance July quarterly report due (for period ending June 30, 2016)
July 19, 2016 Ballot access Filing period opens for general election
July 25, 2016 Campaign finance 8-day before election report due (primary)
August 2, 2016 Election date Primary election
August 23, 2016 Ballot access Filing period closes for general election
September 1, 2016 Campaign finance 30-day after election report due (primary)
October 17, 2016 Campaign finance October quarterly report due (for period ending September 30, 2016)
October 31, 2016 Campaign finance 8-day before election report due (general)
November 8, 2016 Election date General election
December 8, 2016 Campaign finance 30-day after election report due (general)
Sources: Missouri Secretary of State, "2016 Missouri Election Calendar," accessed June 12, 2015
Missouri Ethics Commission, "2016 Campaign Finance Filing Requirements and Dates," accessed July 17, 2015

2015


2014


Process to become a candidate

The first page of the declaration of candidacy form, 2013

DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 115.307 - Section 115.305

For state-recognized political party candidates

A political party candidate seeking placement on the primary ballot must file a declaration of candidacy with the appropriate election official by 5:00 p.m. on the last Tuesday in March immediately preceding the primary. The declaration of candidacy cannot be submitted prior to 8:00 a.m. on the last Tuesday in February immediately preceding the primary. The declaration must state the candidate's name, residential address, office being sought, and political party.[3][4]

Before filing a declaration of candidacy, a candidate must pay a filing fee to the treasurer of the state or county committee of the political party whose nomination he or she is seeking in the primary. Filing fees vary according to the office being sought and are as follows:[3][5]

Filing fees
Office Filing fee
Statewide offices (e.g., governor, secretary of state, etc.), United States Senator $500
United States Representative, State senator $300
State representative $150

A candidate must also file an affidavit with the Missouri Department of Revenue affirming that, to the best of his or her knowledge, the candidate is not delinquent in the payment of any state-owed taxes (e.g., income tax, property tax, etc.).[3][6]

A candidate is required to file for office in person. In addition to completing the declaration of candidacy, a candidate must present proof of identity, a receipt for the payment of any filing fees, and a copy of the affidavit filed with the Missouri Department of Revenue. A candidate may file for office by certified mail if he or she is unable to appear in person due to a physical disability or is a member of the armed forces on active duty. Filing paperwork submitted via mail must be certified by a notary public.[3][7]

If a candidate is unable to pay the required filing fees, he or she may have the fee waived by filing a "Declaration of Inability to Pay" and a petition with his or her declaration of candidacy. If the candidate is filing for statewide office, the petition must be signed by a number of registered voters in the state equal to at least one-half of 1 percent of the total number of votes cast in the state for the office being sought at the last election in which a candidate ran for the office. If the candidate is filing for any other office, the petition must be signed by a number of registered voters in the district or political subdivision equal to at least 1 percent of the total number of votes cast for the office being sought at the last election in which a candidate ran for the office.[3][7]

Candidates for federal, statewide, and state legislative offices must file with the Missouri Secretary of State.[8]

For independent candidates

Like political party candidates, an independent candidate seeking placement on the general election ballot must file a declaration of candidacy and an affidavit affirming that he or she is not delinquent in the payment of any state-owed taxes. The candidate is required to file in person (with the same aforementioned exceptions). Independent candidates, however, are not liable for the payment of any filing fees.[9][10]

Independents must submit nominating petitions with their filing paperwork. Signature requirements vary according to the office being sought. For any statewide office, a nominating petition must be signed by at least 10,000 registered voters of the state. If the candidate seeks a district-level office, the petition must be signed by a number of registered voters in the district equal to at least 2 percent of the total number of votes cast at the last election for the office being sought, or 10,000 signatures, whichever is less.[9][10]

The candidate must file all required paperwork (including petitions) by 5:00 p.m. on the 15th Monday immediately preceding the general election for which the petition is submitted. Paperwork cannot be submitted prior to 8:00 a.m. on the day immediately following the general election next preceding the general election for which the petition is submitted.[9][11]

Candidates for federal, statewide, and state legislative offices must file with the Missouri Secretary of State.[8][9]

For write-in candidates

In order to have his or her votes tallied, a write-in candidate must file a declaration of intent with the proper election official by 5:00 p.m. on the second Friday immediately preceding the election. Write-in candidates are not permitted on the primary ballot.[12][13]

Write-in candidates for federal, statewide, and state legislative office must file with the Missouri Secretary of State.[8]

Petition requirements

See also: Methods for signing candidate nominating petitions

DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 115.325

In some cases, candidates may need to obtain signatures via the petition process to gain access to the ballot. This section outlines the laws and regulations pertaining to petitions and circulators in Missouri.

Format requirements

Nominating petitions and petitions submitted in lieu of filing fees are subject to the following requirements:[14][15]

  • Each page or sheet attached to a page of each petition must declare concisely the intention to nominate either an independent candidate or a party candidate who is unable to pay the filing fee, as the case may be.
  • Each page or sheet attached to a page of each petition must include the name and address of the candidate.
  • Each page or sheet attached to a page of each petition must indicate the office being sought.

Pages must be of uniform size, and the space for signatures on either side of a petition page must be no larger than 8.5 by 14 inches. Each page can contain signatures of registered voters from only one county. When submitted for filing, the pages of each petition must be numbered sequentially.[16]

Petitions for independent candidates must be in substantially the following form:[16]

“ It is a felony for anyone to sign any petition for the nomination of an independent candidate with any name other than his or her own, or knowingly to sign his or her name more than once to the same petition, or to sign a petition when he or she knows he or she is not a registered voter.

PETITION FOR THE NOMINATION OF AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE

To the Honorable [title of official with whom petition is to be filed] for [the state of Missouri or appropriate county]:

We, the undersigned, citizens and registered voters of the state of Missouri, [name of county] County and [district if appropriate], nominate [name of independent candidate], residing at [address of candidate], as an independent candidate for [name of public office for which candidate is to be nominated] and respectfully order that the name of [name of candidate] be placed on the ballot, for election or rejection to such office at the next election, to be held on the [date] day of [month, year], and each for himself or herself says: I have personally signed this petition; I am a registered voter of the state of Missouri, [name of county] County and [district if appropriate]; my registered voting address and the name of the city, town or village in which I live are correctly written after my name.[17]

”

Circulation requirements

Each petition must include a circulator's affidavit on which the circulator attests before a notary public that he or she is a resident of the state of Missouri. The relevant statutes stipulate no further requirements for circulators.[16]

Election-related agencies

See also: State election agencies

Missouri Secretary of State

Physical address: 600 West Main Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1767, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-1767
Telephone: 573-751-2301
Toll-free: 800-NOW-VOTE (669-8683)
Fax: 573-526-3242
Email: elections@sos.mo.gov
Website: http://www.sos.mo.gov/
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Term limits

State executives

State Executive Officials
See also: State executives with term limits and States with gubernatorial term limits

The state executive term limits in Missouri are as follows:[18]

  • The governor may serve a total of two terms.
  • The treasurer may serve a total of two terms.

State legislators

See also: State legislatures with term limits

Members of the Missouri General Assembly may serve no more than eight years total in any one house and no more than 16 years total in both houses.[19]

Term limits were imposed on state legislators by a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 1992. This was further amended in 2002.

Congressional partisanship

Portal:Legislative Branch
See also: List of United States Representatives from Missouri and List of United States Senators from Missouri

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the congressional delegation from Missouri.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Missouri
Party U.S. Senate U.S. House Total
Democratic 0 2 2
Republican 2 6 8
Independent 0 0 0
Vacancies 0 0 0
Total 2 8 10

State legislative partisanship

Portal:State legislatures

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the state legislature of Missouri.

Missouri State Senate

Party As of January 2024
     Democratic Party 10
     Republican Party 24
     Other 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 34

Missouri House of Representatives

Party As of January 2024
     Democratic Party 51
     Republican Party 111
     Other 0
     Vacancies 1
Total 163

Related legislation

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The embedded table below lists state bills affecting ballot access requirements for candidates introduced in Missouri. The following information is included for each bill:

  • State
  • Bill number
  • Official name or caption
  • Most recent action date
  • Legislative status
  • Topics dealt with by the bill

Bills are organized alphabetically, first by state and then by bill number. To view additional results, use the arrows in the upper-right corner of the table. For more information about a particular bill, simply click the bill number. This will open a separate page with additional information.

Ballotpedia’s comprehensive Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker is the basis for this data. This user-friendly tracker covers thousands of election-related bills in state legislatures, and organizes them by topic with neutral, expert analysis from Ballotpedia’s election administration researchers.

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See also

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External links

Official state and federal links

Other information

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "2014 Missouri Election Calendar," accessed March 6, 2014
  2. ↑ Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.329," accessed March 6, 2014
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Missouri Revised Statutes, "Filing Information for Candidates," accessed March 11, 2014
  4. ↑ Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.349," accessed March 11, 2014
  5. ↑ Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.357," accessed March 11, 2014
  6. ↑ Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.342," accessed March 10, 2014
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.355," accessed March 11, 2014
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.353," accessed March 11, 2014
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Missouri Secretary of State, "Independent Candidate Information," accessed March 11, 2014
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.321," accessed March 11, 2014
  11. ↑ Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.329," accessed March 11, 2014
  12. ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "Write-In Candidates," accessed March 11, 2014
  13. ↑ Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.453," accessed March 11, 2014
  14. ↑ Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.357," accessed March 11, 2014
  15. ↑ Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.321," accessed March 11, 2014
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.325," accessed March 11, 2014
  17. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  18. ↑ Missouri Constitution, "Article IV, Section 17," accessed November 14, 2013
  19. ↑ Missouri Constitution, "Article III, Section 8," accessed November 14, 2013
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