HB 681 -- ELECTIONS (Fitzwater)

This bill makes several changes to election laws.

The bill:

(1)  Changes the definition of "disqualified" to mean ineligible
for office or voted on for office by an election authority, a
court of competent jurisdiction, the Missouri Ethics Commission,
or any other body authorized by law to determine the eligibility
of candidates;

(2)  Moves the date to notify the public of the opening filing
date when a political subdivision or special district calls an
election from the 13th Tuesday to the 15th Tuesday prior to the
election;

(3)  Requires a candidate who withdraws from the election to
file a copy of the court order in the office of the official who
accepted the candidate's declaration of candidacy;

(4)  Moves the date to reopen filing for an office in a primary
election where an incumbent or the only candidate dies,
withdraws, or is disqualified from the 11th Tuesday to the 8th
Tuesday before the primary election;

(5)  Allows an established political party to select a candidate
for nomination if the incumbent or only candidate dies,
withdraws, or is disqualified after 5:00 p.m. on the eighth
Tuesday prior to the primary election and before 5:00 p.m. on
whatever day is fixed by law as the final date for withdrawing
as a candidate for the office; and

(6)  Allows a political party nominating committee to select a
candidate for the general election if the party's nominee dies
before the 4th Tuesday prior to the general election or before
the 6th Tuesday prior to the general election if the party's
nominee is disqualified.

FISCAL NOTE:  Effect on All State Funds is $0 for FY 1998,
Unknown Income to Unknown Cost for FY 1999, and $0 for FY 2000.

HB 681 -- ELECTIONS

SPONSOR:  Fitzwater

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Elections
by a vote of 11 to 5.

This bill makes several changes to election laws.  The bill:

(1)  Changes the definition of "disqualified" to mean ineligible
for office or voted on for office by an election authority, a
court of competent jurisdiction, the Missouri Ethics Commission,
or any other body authorized by law to determine the eligibility
of candidates;

(2)  Moves the date to notify the public of the opening filing
date when a political subdivision or special district calls an
election from the 13th Tuesday to the 15th Tuesday prior to the
election;

(3)  Requires a candidate who withdraws from the election to
file a copy of the court order in the office of the official who
accepted the candidate's declaration of candidacy;

(4)  Moves the date to reopen filing for an office in a primary
election where an incumbent or the only candidate dies,
withdraws, or is disqualified from the 11th Tuesday to the 8th
Tuesday before the primary election;

(5)  Allows an established political party to select a candidate
for nomination if the incumbent or only candidate dies,
withdraws, or is disqualified after 5:00 p.m. on the eighth
Tuesday prior to the primary election and before 5:00 p.m. on
whatever day is fixed by law as the final date for withdrawing
as a candidate for the office; and

(6)  Allows a political party nominating committee to select a
candidate for the general election if the party's nominee dies
before the 4th Tuesday prior to the general election or before
the 6th Tuesday prior to the general election if the party's
nominee is disqualified.

FISCAL NOTE:  Fiscal impact of unknown savings or cost.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill responds to election
problems experienced after the deaths of Senator Merrell and
Congressman Emerson.  The bill balances the need to finalize an
official ballot with the need to offer voters the best
candidates.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Fitzwater; and Bekki
Cook, Secretary of State.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Martin Romitti, Research Analyst

HB 681 -- Elections

Sponsor:  Fitzwater

This bill makes several changes to election laws.  The bill:

(1)  Changes the definition of "disqualified" to mean ineligible
for office or voted on for office by an election authority, a
court of competent jurisdiction, the Missouri Ethics Commission,
or any other body authorized by law to determine the eligibility
of candidates;

(2)  Moves the date to notify the public of the opening filing
date when a political subdivision or special district calls an
election from the 13th Tuesday to the 15th Tuesday prior to the
election;

(3)  Requires a candidate who withdraws from the election to
file a copy of the court order in the office of the official who
accepted the candidate's declaration of candidacy;

(4)  Moves the date to reopen filing for an office in a primary
election where an incumbent or the only candidate dies,
withdraws, or is disqualified from the 11th Tuesday to the 8th
Tuesday before the primary election;

(5)  Allows an established political party to select a candidate
for nomination if the incumbent or only candidate dies,
withdraws, or is disqualified after 5:00 p.m. on the eighth
Tuesday prior to the primary election and before 5:00 p.m. on
whatever day is fixed by law as the final date for withdrawing
as a candidate for the office; and

(6)  Allows a political party nominating committee to select a
candidate for the general election if the party's nominee dies
before the 4th Tuesday prior to the general election or before
the 6th Tuesday prior to the general election if the party's
nominee is disqualified.