Missouri SB138 passed the Senate on March 26, 2007. It corrects a drafting error that was made when Missouri passed ballot access reform in 1993. The existing law lets unqualified parties circulate a petition to become qualified, before they have nominated any candidates. Unfortunately, due to the drafting error, this petition to create a new party must carry the names of the group’s candidates for presidential elector, even though in general no candidates need to be named on the petition.

For example, the Constitution Party of Missouri is currently circulating a petition to become qualified. The presidential election of 2008 is so far in the future, of course the party doesn’t know who its candidates for presidential elector will be in 2008. Therefore, the party’s petition is technically deficient, but if the bill passes, that problem will be overcome.