Filing period bill moves forward in Mo. Senate

The Missouri Senate has given first-round approval to legislation that would push back the filing period for the state’s August primaries by one month.

The bill’s backers say the filing period needs to be moved forward to March 27th through April 24th, due to legal uncertainty over the State House and Senate district maps.  Currently, the filing period begins February 28th and ends March 27th for all state and federal races this year.

There was an attempt to amend the bill, in which the filing period for State House and Senate races would have been the only one moved.  It was sponsored by State Senator Scott Rupp (R, Wentzville).

“I think that all those people running for Congress and things of those nature are planning on February 28th," Rupp said.  "Because the commissions couldn’t get it done and the courts messed it up and stuff, I think (we should) just deal with those that are affected.”

But the amendment overwhelmingly failed, and the bill easily passed.  It needs one more vote before moving to the Missouri House, but that vote is expected to take place Thursday.  The bill's sponsor is State Senator Mike Parson (R, Bolivar).

Rupp is also running for Missouri Secretary of State.