SCS/HCS/HBs 1273, 943 & 1217 - This act modifies provisions of election law.

This act shortens the deadline for the candidate's filing of financial interest statement from 25th to 21st day after the candidate's filing deadline. For most candidates, financial interest statements would be due sometime in mid-April.

Current law provides that charter cities and counties may have primaries on the first Tuesday in March or on another day provided in the charter. This act changes the election date to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March or another day in the charter.

The act removes a current exception to a notification deadline for newly formed seven-director school board.

The act requires the last four digits of a social security number on the voter registration application and removes the optional request for occupation and mother's maiden name on the application.

The act allows absentee voting for overseas voters, but only for federal and statewide candidates and statewide ballot issues (not for state senators and representatives).

The act changes who is to be notified in the event that the chairman of the nominating committee cannot be reached and prohibits the chairman of a nominating committee from certifying his or her own selection as candidate.

Currently, the election authority specifies where candidates form a line for candidate filings other than filings with the Secretary of State, and the election authority oversees the random drawing to determine the order for candidates filing on the first day. This act states that for municipal elections, the local government official responsible for oversight of candidate filings designates where such line is formed and oversees the random drawing.

Currently, the election authority shall seize certain printed material or recording which leads voters to believe that a nonincumbent candidate is an incumbent. This act says that the election authority may seize such material.

The act changes the deadline for the Secretary of State's notification to election authorities from "immediately" to "as soon as practicable" upon certification of names of candidates by party nominating committees.

The act also provides that the election judge enters voting date "in the record". Current law says that the voting date is entered "on the card."

This act establishes a means of providing notice, regarding initiative petitions filed, to designated public officials and agencies and to individuals upon request. Such notice also would be published in the Missouri Register and on the Secretary of State's World Wide Website. Notice would be made at the time of the filing of the petition, and at certification of the Official Ballot Title. Such notice also would include a statement indicating the right to provide comments under a public notice and comment process.

This act also allows citizens to challenge the petition form at the same time that the Official Ballot Title and Fiscal Note may be challenged (10 days after certification of the Official Ballot Title).

This act has an emergency clause.

This act is similar to SB 710 (1998).
MARGARET J. TOALSON