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Stories about Missouri

Signature deadline for Missouri ballot initiatives is May 8

By Ryan Byrne
In Ballot measures
May 3, 2022 at 1:02 PM

The deadline to file signatures for citizen-initiated measures in Missouri is May 8 at 5 p.m. Campaigns could file signatures for at least two ballot initiatives – one to legalize marijuana and one to adopt top-four primaries and ranked-choice voting (RCV).

Both of the proposals are initiated constitutional amendments. The number of signatures required for initiated constitutional amendments is equal to 8% of the votes cast for governor in the previous gubernatorial election in six of the state’s eight congressional districts. The smallest possible number of valid signatures required is 171,592; however, the actual requirement depends on which districts enough signatures were collected from.

The Better Elections PAC is leading the campaign behind the top-four RCV ballot initiative. The proposal would establish top-four open primaries for statewide offices, the Missouri General Assembly, and Congress. The top four vote recipients for each office would advance to the general election, where RCV would be used.

Better Elections received $4.30 million through March 31. Over 98% of the PAC’s funding came from Article IV, a nonprofit organization based in Virginia. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Article IV is associated with John and Laura Arnold, whose organization Action Now Initiative contributed to RCV-related ballot initiatives in previous years. 

The campaign Legal Missouri is backing the marijuana legalization ballot measure. The ballot initiative would legalize the possession, consumption, and sale of marijuana for personal use. The ballot initiative would also enact a 6% tax on marijuana sales and allow individuals convicted of non-violent marijuana-related offenses to petition for release from incarceration and/or have their records expunged. Legal Missouri received $2.56 million through March 31. The largest contributors were the New Approach Advocacy Fund ($300,000), BD Health Ventures LLC ($250,000), and Good Day Farm Missouri LLC ($250,000). 

Individuals filed 91 citizen-initiated ballot measure petitions for 2022. Since 2016, the average number of initiatives filed in Missouri per election cycle is 248, and the average number of certified ballot initiatives is four. Between 1985 and 2020, voters approved 24 (60%) initiatives and rejected 16 (40%).



Missouri Senate Education Committee passes “Parent’s Bill of Rights”

By Maddie Sinclair Johnson
In State
April 29, 2022 at 4:20 PM

The Missouri Senate Education Committee passed a bill outlining parental rights with regard to the education of minors by state-funded schools on April 26 by a 5-4 vote. House Bill 1858, also known as the “Parent’s Bill of Rights,” passed the House by an 85-59 vote on April 19. Before HB 1858 goes to the Senate floor, it will go to the Senate Committee on Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight. 

In his opening statement on the House floor, HB 1858 sponsor Rep. Ben Baker (R-160) said, “This bill is for every parent who might have been ignored at a school board meeting, and not listened to, and purposefully relegated to sit in silence as business was done. This is about those who have concerns about the content of the classroom and classroom materials, what is being put in front of their child in the classroom.” Proponents of HB 1858 believe it will allow for more parent involvement in education and discourage indoctrination in classrooms. 

Opponents of HB 1858 argue that to the bill may prevent teachers from covering important topics and vague language could cause logistical issues in schools. Representative Mike Stephens (R-128) said in response to the bill, “This language [in the bill] can wreak havoc in the classroom. Even though we want schools to be more open and we want the institutions of the public schools to be more open, we still have to have a system that is functional and that is not hamstrung by overkill and overzealous regulations.”

FutureEd has identified 80 bills in 26 states that address parental rights in the education of minors and content taught in classrooms that were pre-filed or introduced in 2022. 

For the House vote on HB 1858, 144 representatives voted. There were 11 absent and one abstained. Eighty-five Republicans voted in favor of the bill. Fifteen Republicans and all 44 Democrats voted against. In the Senate Education Committee, five Republicans voted in favor, one voted against, and all three Democrats voted against.

Missouri is one of 23 Republican state government trifectas in the U.S. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the General Assembly. There is a 24-10 Republican majority in the Senate and a 108-49 majority in the House. The Republicans have a veto-proof supermajority in both chambers. In the event of a veto issued by Gov. Parson, the Republican majority is large enough to override the veto without any votes from members of the Democratic party. 

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Three resolutions adopted in Missouri General Assembly

By Maddie Sinclair Johnson
In State
April 29, 2022 at 12:21 PM

Since April 19, one resolution was adopted in the Missouri State Senate and two were adopted in the Missouri House of Representatives. There were no bills to pass both the House and Senate and be signed by Gov. Mike Parson (R). So far in the 2022 session, nine bills and resolutions have been passed. The following arethe resolutions that have passed since April 19:

House Resolution 3279 encourages the U.S. to negotiate a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom. The resolution was introduced by Rep. Derek Grier (R) and was adopted on April 26. 

HR 3886 recognizes the achievements of former University of Missourifootball coach Gary Pinkel, who was elected to the college football hall of fame in 2022. The resolution was introduced by Rep. Kurtis Gregory (R) and was adopted on April 27. 

SR 702 also recognizes the achievements of Pinkel. The resolution was introduced by Sen. Caleb Rowden (R) and was adopted on April 27. 

The Missouri General Assembly is the state legislature of Missouri. It is a bicameral legislature composed of a 34-member Senate and a 163-member House of Representatives. Senators are term limited to two terms and representatives are limited to four. The Missouri General Assembly is a part-time legislature. The 2022 session convened on Jan. 5 and will adjourn May 13. 

Missouri is one of 23 Republican state government trifectas in the U.S. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the General Assembly. There is a 24-10 Republican majority in the Senate and a 108-49 majority in the House. The Republicans have a veto-proof supermajority in both chambers. In the event of a veto issued by Gov. Parson, the Republican majority is large enough to override the veto without any votes from members of the Democratic party. 

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Five Missourian candidates complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in last two weeks

By Samuel Wonacott
In State
April 28, 2022 at 2:21 PM

Below are a selection of responses from the candidates who filled out Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey since April 12. To read each candidate’s full responses, click their name at the bottom of the article.

Randi McCallian is running for Missouri’s 8th Congressional District and the Democratic primary is on Aug. 2. Here’s how McCallian responded to the question “What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?”

“I have empathy and I can listen. We need to remember that representatives should represent us – to do that they need to be good at listening to, and empathizing with, what their constituents experience. I am also very organized, driven to accomplish important tasks, and I enjoy working with other passionate people.”

Click here to read the rest of McCallian’s answers. 

C.W. Gardner is running for U.S. Senate and the Republican primary is on Aug. 2. Here’s how Gardner responded to the question “What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?”

“[I am] committed to legalizing marijuana at the federal level, eradicating potholes, banning single-ply toilet paper, building high-speed rail across Missouri, abolishing the undemocratic Electoral College/Voting rights, universal healthcare, renewable energy (wind, water, and solar), carbon tax/carbon dividends, teaching Critical Race Theory (traditional and Dale Earnhardt Sr. versions), legalizing sports betting across the U.S., unions and working-class folks, $20 federal minimum wage, pro-housing policies (YIMBY), full governmental disclosure of UFO existence and extraterrestrial presence, expanding access to legal immigration, [and] vitalizing the River des Peres.”

Click here to read the rest of Gardner’s answers.

If you’re a Missouri candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey. The survey contains over 30 questions, and you can choose the ones you feel will best represent your views to voters. If you complete the survey, a box with your answers will display on your Ballotpedia profile. Your responses will also populate the information that appears in our mobile app, My Vote Ballotpedia.

If you’re not running for office but you would like to know more about candidates in Missouri, share the link and urge them to take the survey!

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Six current vacancies in Missouri House of Representatives; oldest vacancy open since April 2021

By Maddie Sinclair Johnson
In State
April 27, 2022 at 12:39 PM

Six seats are currently vacant in the Missouri House of Reprsentatives, with the oldest open since April 21, 2021. On that date, former State Rep. Rick Roeber (R)—who represented District 34—was expelled from the House by unanimous vote due to allegations of child abuse. 

District 65 became vacant after the death of State Rep. Tom Hannegan (R) in Oct. 2021. District 114 has been vacant since Nov. 2021 and was previously held by Becky Ruth (R). In the first week of Jan. 2022, Districts 147, 108, and 61 all became vacant. They were held by Wayne Wallingford (R), Justin Hill (R), and Aaron Griesheimer (R) respectively. 

Vacancies in the Missouri General Assembly are filled through a special election called by the governor. Missouri is one of 25 states that fill vacancies in the state legislature through special elections. As of April 2022, 45 state legislative special elections have been scheduled nationwide for 2022 in 20 states. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) has not called for any legislative special elections this year. All Missouri House of Representatives districts will be up for regular election on Nov. 8. 

In April, there were no irregular officeholder transitions in Missouri for offices within Ballotpedia’s coverage scope. This includes the resignation, death, appointment, or winning of a special election in positions such as a state executive office, a seat in the General Assembly, or a non-district judgeship. 

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Campaign for ranked-choice voting ballot initiative in Missouri has raised millions ahead of signature deadline

By Joel Williams
In Ballot measures
April 27, 2022 at 12:27 PM

The campaign supporting a ranked-choice voting (RCV) ballot initiative in Missouri has received millions in contributions in the weeks ahead of its signature deadline. The initiative would change the state’s primary system to utilize open primaries in which the top four vote recipients, regardless of partisan affiliations, advance to the general election.

The Better Elections PAC is leading the campaign behind the top-four RCV ballot initiative. Better Elections received $4.30 million through March 31. Over 98% of the PAC’s funding came from the organization Article IV, a nonprofit organization based in Virginia. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Article IV is associated with John and Laura Arnold, whose organization Action Now Initiative contributed to RCV-related ballot initiatives in previous years.

The signature deadline is May 8. The number of signatures required is equal to 8% of the votes cast for governor in the previous gubernatorial election in six of the state’s eight congressional districts. The smallest number of valid signatures required is 160,199; however, the actual requirement depends on from which districts enough signatures were collected.

Statewide RCV ballot measures have gone before voters in three states. Should this initiative make the ballot, Missouri would be the fourth state to vote on RCV measures. Maine adopted RCV through Question 5 in 2016 and Alaska adopted RCV through Ballot Measure 2 in 2020. Massachusetts voters rejected RCV through the defeat of Question 2 in 2020.



Three candidates file to run for Missouri State Auditor

By Joel Williams
In State
April 27, 2022 at 12:20 PM

Three candidates—two Republicans and one Democrat—filed to run for Missouri State Auditor. The Republican primary will take place on Aug. 2, while the general election will take place on Nov. 8. The current auditor, Nicole Galloway (D), is not running for re-election.

Missouri Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick will face state Rep. David Gregory in the Republican primary. Former state Rep. Alan Green is the Democratic candidate.

Galloway was appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon (D) in 2015 and won re-election with 50.4% of the vote in 2018. She ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2020, losing to Gov. Mike Parson (R) in the general election 57%-41%.

The office of the auditor acts as the state’s independent watchdog, working to ensure the proper use of public funds and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Missouri government. This is achieved through auditing of state agencies, boards and commissions, the circuit court system, the counties in Missouri that do not have a county auditor, and other political subdivisions upon request.

The auditor’s office is the only state executive office on the ballot in Missouri this year. The remaining offices of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and treasurer are elected in presidential election years. Each of those offices will next be up for election in 2024.

Several other types of offices are on the ballot in Missouri this year, including one U.S. Senate seat, eight U.S. House seats, 17 state Senate seats, 163 state House seats, two seats on the Missouri Supreme Court, and 12 seats on the Missouri Court of Appeals. There are also two certified statewide ballot measures this year along with dozens more potential measures yet to be certified.



Fourteen appellate court judges are on the ballot in Missouri this year

By Joel Williams
In State
April 27, 2022 at 11:52 AM

Two judges on the Missouri Supreme Court and 12 judges on the Missouri Court of Appeals have terms expiring on Dec. 31. Each of these judges must stand for a retention election this year in order to remain on the court. 

A retention election is a simple yes-no election where the judge is the only person on the ballot. If the judge receives a majority of yes votes, he or she remains on the court for another term. If the judge receives a majority of no votes, his or her term expires at the end of the year and the governor will appoint replacements. Judges on each court serve 12-year terms but must retire at age 70.

Robin Ransom and Zel Fischer are the two judges on the Missouri Supreme Court up for retention. Ransom was appointed by Gov. Mike Parson (R) in May 2021 after serving on the Missouri Court of Appeals from 2019 to 2021. Zel Fischer was appointed to the court by Gov. Matt Blunt (R) in 2008. Seven judges serve on the court: four of the current members were appointed by Republican governors and three were appointed by Democratic governors.

To see the full list of judges running for retention to the Missouri Court of Appeals, click here. The court is split into three districts: Eastern, Southern, and Western. The Eastern District is headquartered in St. Louis and has 14 judges. The Southern District is headquartered in Springfield and has seven judges. The Western District is headquartered in Kansas City and has 11 judges.

Several other types of offices are on the ballot in Missouri this year, including one U.S. Senate seat, eight U.S. House seats, 17 state Senate seats, 163 state House seats, and state auditor. There are also two certified statewide ballot measures this year along with dozens more potential measures yet to be certified.

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Two Democratic incumbents to face each other in Missouri House of Representatives 73rd District primary

By Maddie Sinclair Johnson
In State
April 26, 2022 at 12:20 PM

Missouri state Representatives Mike Person (D) and Raychel Proudie (D) are both running in House District 73 in this year’s Aug. 2 primary. The two incumbents are competing in the same district due to redistricting. Person was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2020 and currently represents District 74. Proudie was elected in 2019 and currently represents District 73. Kevin McConnel (L) also qualified in this district and will face the Democratic primary winner in the Nov. 8 general election.

All 163 seats in the Missouri House of Representatives and even-numbered districts in the state Senate are up for election this year, which is 91% of all legislative seats. Ninety-seven (60%) House districts have Democratic candidates and 12 (71%) Senate districts have Democratic candidates.

Seventeen Democratic incumbents are running uncontested for seats in the Missouri House of Representatives, which is 10% of House races. Twenty-two Democratic state House incumbents have at least one challenger. The two Democratic incumbents running for re-election in the state Senate are unopposed in the primary and have only Republican challengers. There are five districts currently held by a Democrat that will not have an incumbent running. 

Fourteen races across both chambers have more than one Democratic candidate. Twelve races in the House are contested and two in the Senate. 

Missouri is one of 23 Republican state government trifectas, meaning that the Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the General Assembly. Republicans currently have a 24-10 Republican majority in the state Senate and a 108-49 majority in the state House of Representatives. 

The candidate filing deadline for this year’s elections in Missouri was on March 29. Missouri is one of 46 states holding legislative elections in 2022. The Democratic primary for all districts in the Missouri General Assembly is on Aug. 2.

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23% of Missouri’s 2022 legislative races have uncontested Republican incumbents

By Maddie Sinclair Johnson
In State
April 26, 2022 at 11:10 AM

In 2022, 41 Republican incumbents are running without opposition for the Missouri General Assembly, which represents 23% of the state’s legislative races. Forty of these incumbents are in the House of Representatives and one is in the state Senate.  

Thirty-nine Republican incumbents in the state House and six incuments in the Senate have at least one challenger. A total of 38 districts in both chambers do not have an incumbent running. 

Fifty-seven legislative races have more than one Republican candidate. Forty-five of these contested elections are in the House are and 12 are in the Senate. 

All 163 seats in the Missouri House of Representatives are up for election and the even-numbered districts in the state Senate are up for election—91% of all legislative seats. One hundred and thirty five—or 83% of House districts have Republican candidates as do all 17 Senate districts.

Missouri is one of 23 Republican state government trifectas in the U.S. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the General Assembly. There is a 24-10 Republican majority in the Senate and a 108-49 majority in the House. 

The candidate filing deadline for this year’s elections in Missouri was on March 29. Missouri is one of 46 states holding legislativeelections in 2022. The Republican primary for all districts in the Missouri General Assembly is on Aug. 2. 

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