Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Missouri

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Note: This article is not intended to serve as an exhaustive guide to running for public office. Individuals should contact their state election agencies for further information.

In order to get on the ballot in Missouri, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

  1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
  2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
  3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in Missouri. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, click here. Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

DocumentIcon.jpg See state election laws

Year-specific filing information

2024

See also: Signature requirements and deadlines for 2024 U.S. Congress elections and Missouri elections, 2024

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Missouri in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Missouri, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Missouri U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $500.00 3/26/2024 Source
Missouri U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 10,000 N/A 7/29/2024 Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Missouri in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Missouri, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Missouri U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $300.00 3/26/2024 Source
Missouri U.S. House Unaffiliated 2% of votes cast for the office in the last election, or 10,000, whichever is less N/A 7/29/2024 Source


For filing information from previous years, click "[Show more]" below.

Show more

2022

See also: Signature requirements and deadlines for 2022 U.S. Congress elections and Missouri elections, 2022

U.S. Senate

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Missouri in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Missouri, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2022
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Missouri U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A $500.00 3/29/2022 Source
Missouri U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 10,000 N/A 8/1/2022 Source

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Missouri in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Missouri, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2022
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Missouri U.S. House Ballot-qualified party N/A $300.00 3/29/2022 Source
Missouri U.S. House Unaffiliated 2% of total votes cast for the office in the last election, or 10,000, whichever is less N/A 8/1/2022 Source

2020

See also: Signature requirements and deadlines for 2020 U.S. Congress elections and Missouri elections, 2020

U.S. House

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Missouri in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Missouri, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2020
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
Missouri 1st Congressional District Established party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri 1st Congressional District Unaffiliated 5,488 2% of all voters who voted for this office in the last election N/A N/A 7/28/2020 Source
Missouri 2nd Congressional District Established party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri 2nd Congressional District Unaffiliated 7,521 2% of all voters who voted for this office in the last election N/A N/A 7/29/2020 Source
Missouri 3rd Congressional District Established party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri 3rd Congressional District Unaffiliated 6,492 2% of all voters who voted for this office in the last election N/A N/A 7/30/2020 Source
Missouri 4th Congressional District Established party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri 4th Congressional District Unaffiliated 5,866 2% of all voters who voted for this office in the last election N/A N/A 7/31/2020 Source
Missouri 5th Congressional District Established party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri 5th Congressional District Unaffiliated 5,676 2% of all voters who voted for this office in the last election N/A N/A 8/1/2020 Source
Missouri 6th Congressional District Established party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri 6th Congressional District Unaffiliated 6,108 2% of all voters who voted for this office in the last election N/A N/A 8/2/2020 Source
Missouri 7th Congressional District Established party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri 7th Congressional District Unaffiliated 5,929 2% of all voters who voted for this office in the last election N/A N/A 8/3/2020 Source
Missouri 8th Congressional District Established party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri 8th Congressional District Unaffiliated 5,288 2% of all voters who voted for this office in the last election N/A N/A 8/4/2020 Source

State House

The table below details filing requirements for Missouri House of Representatives candidates in the 2020 election cycle.

Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020
Chamber name Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Missouri House of Representatives Qualified party N/A $50.00 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri House of Representatives Unaffiliated 2% of votes cast at the last election for the office being sought N/A 7/27/2020 Source

State Senate

The table below details filing requirements for Missouri State Senate candidates in the 2020 election cycle.

Filing requirements for state legislative candidates, 2020
Chamber name Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Missouri State Senate Qualified party N/A $100.00 3/31/2020 Source
Missouri State Senate Unaffiliated 2% of votes cast at the last election for the office being sought N/A 7/27/2020 Source

2018

See also: Signature requirements and deadlines for 2018 U.S. Congress elections and Missouri elections, 2018

See below for 2018 candidate filing deadlines.

March 27, 2018

2016

See also: Signature requirements and deadlines for 2016 U.S. Congress elections and Missouri elections, 2016

The calendar below lists important dates for political candidates in Missouri in 2016.

Dates and requirements for candidates in 2016
Deadline Event type Event description
November 7, 2015 Ballot access Filing period opens for presidential preference primary
December 22, 2015 Ballot access Filing period closes for presidential preference primary
January 15, 2016 Campaign finance January quarterly report due (for period ending December 31, 2015)
February 23, 2016 Ballot access Filing period opens for primary election
March 15, 2016 Election date Presidential preference primary election
March 29, 2016 Ballot access Filing period closes for primary election
April 15, 2016 Campaign finance April quarterly report due (for period ending March 31, 2016)
July 15, 2016 Campaign finance July quarterly report due (for period ending June 30, 2016)
July 19, 2016 Ballot access Filing period opens for general election
July 25, 2016 Campaign finance 8-day before election report due (primary)
August 2, 2016 Election date Primary election
August 23, 2016 Ballot access Filing period closes for general election
September 1, 2016 Campaign finance 30-day after election report due (primary)
October 17, 2016 Campaign finance October quarterly report due (for period ending September 30, 2016)
October 31, 2016 Campaign finance 8-day before election report due (general)
November 8, 2016 Election date General election
December 8, 2016 Campaign finance 30-day after election report due (general)
Sources: Missouri Secretary of State, "2016 Missouri Election Calendar," accessed June 12, 2015
Missouri Ethics Commission, "2016 Campaign Finance Filing Requirements and Dates," accessed July 17, 2015

2015


2014


Process to become a candidate

DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 115.307

For state-recognized political party candidates

A political party candidate seeking placement on the primary ballot must file a declaration of candidacy with the appropriate election official by 5:00 p.m. on the last Tuesday in March immediately preceding the primary. The declaration of candidacy cannot be submitted prior to 8:00 a.m. on the last Tuesday in February immediately preceding the primary. The declaration must state the candidate's name, residential address, office being sought, and political party.[3][4]

Before filing a declaration of candidacy, a candidate must pay a filing fee to the treasurer of the state or county committee of the political party whose nomination he or she is seeking in the primary. Filing fees vary according to the office being sought and are as follows:[3][5]

Filing fees
Office Filing fee
Statewide offices (e.g., governor, secretary of state, etc.), United States Senator $500
United States Representative, State senator $300
State representative $150

A candidate must also file an affidavit with the Missouri Department of Revenue affirming that, to the best of his or her knowledge, the candidate is not delinquent in the payment of any state-owed taxes (e.g., income tax, property tax, etc.).[3][6]

A candidate is required to file for office in-person. In addition to completing the declaration of candidacy, a candidate must present proof of identity, a receipt for the payment of any filing fees, and a copy of the affidavit filed with the Missouri Department of Revenue. A candidate may file for office by certified mail if he or she is unable to appear in person due to a physical disability or is a member of the armed forces on active duty. Filing paperwork submitted via mail must be certified by a notary public.[3][7]

If a candidate is unable to pay the required filing fees, he or she may have the fee waived by filing a "Declaration of Inability to Pay" and a petition with his or her declaration of candidacy. If the candidate is filing for statewide office, the petition must be signed by a number of registered voters in the state equal to at least one-half of 1 percent of the total number of votes cast in the state for the office being sought at the last election in which a candidate ran for the office. If the candidate is filing for any other office, the petition must be signed by a number of registered voters in the district or political subdivision equal to at least 1 percent of the total number of votes cast for the office being sought at the last election in which a candidate ran for the office.[3][7]

Candidates for federal, statewide, and state legislative offices must file with the Missouri Secretary of State.[8]

For independent candidates

Like political party candidates, an independent candidate seeking placement on the general election ballot must file a declaration of candidacy and an affidavit affirming that he or she is not delinquent in the payment of any state-owed taxes. The candidate is required to file in person (with the same aforementioned exceptions). Independent candidates, however, are not liable for the payment of any filing fees.[9][10]

Independents must submit nominating petitions with their filing paperwork. Signature requirements vary according to the office being sought. For any statewide office, a nominating petition must be signed by at least 10,000 registered voters of the state. If the candidate seeks a district-level office, the petition must be signed by a number of registered voters in the district equal to at least 2 percent of the total number of votes cast at the last election for the office being sought, or 10,000 signatures, whichever is less.[9][10]

The candidate must file all required paperwork (including petitions) by 5:00 p.m. on the 15th Monday immediately preceding the general election for which the petition is submitted. Paperwork cannot be submitted prior to 8:00 a.m. on the day immediately following the general election next preceding the general election for which the petition is submitted.[9][11]

Candidates for federal, statewide, and state legislative offices must file with the Missouri Secretary of State.[8][9]

For write-in candidates

In order to have his or her votes tallied, a write-in candidate must file a declaration of intent with the proper election official by 5:00 p.m. on the second Friday immediately preceding the election. Write-in candidates are not permitted on the primary ballot.[12][13]

Write-in candidates for federal, statewide, and state legislative office must file with the Missouri Secretary of State.[8]

Petition requirements

See also: Methods for signing candidate nominating petitions

DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 115.325

In some cases, candidates may need to obtain signatures via the petition process to gain access to the ballot. This section outlines the laws and regulations pertaining to petitions and circulators in Missouri.

Format requirements

Nominating petitions and petitions submitted in lieu of filing fees are subject to the following requirements:[14][15]

  • Each page or sheet attached to a page of each petition must declare concisely the intention to nominate either an independent candidate or a party candidate who is unable to pay the filing fee, as the case may be.
  • Each page or sheet attached to a page of each petition must include the name and address of the candidate.
  • Each page or sheet attached to a page of each petition must indicate the office being sought.

Pages must be of uniform size, and the space for signatures on either side of a petition page must be no larger than 8.5 by 14 inches. Each page can contain signatures of registered voters from only one county. When submitted for filing, the pages of each petition must be numbered sequentially.[16]

Petitions for independent candidates must be in substantially the following form:[16]

“ It is a felony for anyone to sign any petition for the nomination of an independent candidate with any name other than his or her own, or knowingly to sign his or her name more than once to the same petition, or to sign a petition when he or she knows he or she is not a registered voter.

PETITION FOR THE NOMINATION OF AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE

To the Honorable [title of official with whom petition is to be filed] for [the state of Missouri or appropriate county]:

We, the undersigned, citizens and registered voters of the state of Missouri, [name of county] County and [district if appropriate], nominate [name of independent candidate], residing at [address of candidate], as an independent candidate for [name of public office for which candidate is to be nominated] and respectfully order that the name of [name of candidate] be placed on the ballot, for election or rejection to such office at the next election, to be held on the [date] day of [month, year], and each for himself or herself says: I have personally signed this petition; I am a registered voter of the state of Missouri, [name of county] County and [district if appropriate]; my registered voting address and the name of the city, town or village in which I live are correctly written after my name.[17]

”

Circulation requirements

Each petition must include a circulator's affidavit on which the circulator attests before a notary public that he or she is a resident of the state of Missouri. The relevant statutes stipulate no further requirements for circulators.[16]


Election administration agencies

Election agencies

Seal of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission
See also: State election agencies

Individuals seeking additional information about voting provisions in Missouri can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.

Missouri Election Authority

Click here for a list

Secretary of State, Elections Division

Physical Address: 600 West Main Street
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
Mailing Address: James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center
PO Box 1767
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1767
Phone: 573-751-2301
Toll free: 800-669-8683
Fax: 573-526-3242
Email: elections@sos.mo.gov
Website: https://www.sos.mo.gov

Missouri Ethics Commission

Physical Address: 3411A Knipp Drive, Suite A
Jefferson City, Missouri 65109
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1370
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
Phone: 573-751-2020
Toll free: 800-392-8660
Fax: 573-526-4506
Email: helpdesk@mec.mo.gov
Website: http://www.mec.mo.gov/

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 301-563-3919
Toll free: 1-866-747-1471
Email: clearinghouse@eac.gov
Website: https://www.eac.gov


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Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool.

Term limits

State executives

State Executive Officials
See also: State executives with term limits and States with gubernatorial term limits

The state executive term limits in Missouri are described in Article IV, Section 17 of the Missouri Constitution:

  • The governor may serve a total of two terms.
  • The treasurer may serve a total of two terms.

State legislators

See also: State legislatures with term limits

Members of the Missouri General Assembly may serve no more than eight years total in any one house and no more than 16 years total in both houses.

Term limits were imposed on state legislators by a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 1992. This was further amended in 2002.

Congressional partisanship

Portal:Legislative Branch
See also: List of United States Representatives from Missouri and List of United States Senators from Missouri

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the congressional delegation from Missouri.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Missouri
Party U.S. Senate U.S. House Total
Democratic 0 2 2
Republican 2 6 8
Independent 0 0 0
Vacancies 0 0 0
Total 2 8 10

State legislative partisanship

Portal:State legislatures

Below is the current partisan breakdown of the state legislature of Missouri.

Missouri State Senate

Party As of March 2025
     Democratic Party 10
     Republican Party 24
     Other 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 34

Missouri House of Representatives

Party As of March 2025
     Democratic Party 52
     Republican Party 110
     Other 0
     Vacancies 1
Total 163

Related legislation

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The table below lists bills related to ballot access requirements for candidates that have been introduced during (or carried over to) the current legislative session in Missouri. The following information is included for each bill:

  • State
  • Bill number
  • Official bill name or caption
  • Most recent action date
  • Legislative status
  • Sponsor party
  • Topics dealt with by the bill

Bills are organized by most recent action. The table displays up to 100 results. To view more bills, use the arrows in the upper-right corner. Clicking on a bill will open its page on Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker, which includes bill details and a summary.

The Ballot Bulletin

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See also

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External links

Official state and federal links

Other information

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "2014 Missouri Election Calendar," accessed March 6, 2014
  2. ↑ Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.329," accessed March 6, 2014
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Missouri Revised Statutes, "Filing Information for Candidates," accessed March 11, 2014
  4. ↑ Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.349," accessed March 14, 2025
  5. ↑ Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.357," accessed March 14, 2025
  6. ↑ Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.306," accessed March 14, 2025
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.355," accessed March 14, 2025
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.353," accessed March 14, 2025 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "mowherefile" defined multiple times with different content
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Missouri Secretary of State, "Independent Candidate Information 2024," accessed March 14, 2025
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.321," accessed March 14, 2025
  11. ↑ Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.329," accessed March 14, 2025
  12. ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "Write-In Candidates Frequently Asked Questions," accessed March 14, 2025
  13. ↑ Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.453," accessed March 15, 2025
  14. ↑ Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.357," accessed March 14, 2025
  15. ↑ Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.321," accessed March 14, 2025
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Missouri Revised Statutes, "Section 115.325," accessed March 14, 2025
  17. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
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