Next week on Feb. 25, countless citizens throughout Missouri will gather at the Secretary of State’s office to register their candidacy for upcoming elections. Despite the filing period lasting for a month, would-be elected officials rush to file on the first day because of ballot placement.

It’s widely believed the order names appear on a ballot can affect elections. Some claim by up to two to three percentage points. To make our elections are fair as possible, we make first day filers draw numbers to determine where their name will fall on the ballot. After that, names are listed in the order they are received.

The problem is that citizens who are physically unable to file in person—because of a disability or serving as an active duty military member—aren’t allowed to take part in the drawing process. These candidates are put at a disadvantage because of circumstances beyond their control.

One of my highest priorities this session was addressing this unfairness. I respect those military members who return from duty and want to continue serving their country through elected office. We should do everything we can to make the process open and accessible to these brave men and women.

On Wednesday afternoon, I was honored to join the governor for the signing ceremony of House Bill 1125, the first measure approved by the General Assembly this year and legislation I’ve long supported.

The bill, which is identical to my legislation Senate Bill 630, allows representatives for military candidates and those with disabilities to draw numbers to establish ballot order. The legislation contains an emergency clause, which means next Tuesday, citizens with disabilities and military members will be given the same opportunity to serve in office as others.

Appropriately enough, the signing of this beneficial legislation coincided with a notable occasion in Jefferson City this week. On Tuesday morning, the Honor and Remember flag was flown for the first time on the grounds surrounding the State Capitol.

The flag memorializes the sacrifice of American service members who have died while serving their country. The emblem was created by the parents of a soldier who lost his life while serving in Iraq.

Last year, we passed legislation that allows this flag to be flown at state parks and buildings. The process came full circle this week as the flag was raised in front of the Capitol. We must always seek ways to recognize our military members. This flag is a small gesture of the gratitude we feel for the soldiers who lost their lives for their nation.

Additionally, the Senate approved a measure this week to offer some relief to cancer patients. This terrible disease has touched all our lives, whether from dealing with the illness yourself, or having to watch a loved one endure it.

The treatment for cancer is often an agonizing, prolonged experience. It involves regular visits to treatment centers and hours hooked to an IV machine. It’s an incredible burden, especially in rural areas, where a treatment center might be 60 or 70 miles away.

Luckily, modern science has created new treatment options in the form of oral chemotherapy drugs. Instead of having to visit a center, oral chemotherapy medication can be taken by pill. The side effects are less severe, and it’s far less intrusive on patients’ daily lives.

Many people, however, can’t afford this option, even those with health coverage. Insurance companies have created much higher out-of-pocket costs for oral chemotherapy than the intravenous method. Citizens are being denied access to a potentially life-improving medication because of price disparities put in place by insurers.

Senate Bill 668 requires health benefit plans to establish equal out of pocket costs for covered oral and intravenously administered chemotherapy medications. This bill would give countless Missourians suffering with cancer the option of a less severe and more convenient treatment option. I was proud to support the measure and hope it moves quickly through the legislative process.

Contact Me

I always appreciate hearing your comments, opinions, and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-2459. You may write me at Wayne Wallingford, Missouri Senate, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101, or email at wayne.wallingford@senate.mo.gov or www.senate.mo.gov/wallingford.