This blog and also the written May 1 newsletter have already criticized Missouri HB 894 for requiring independent presidential candidates to file a declaration of candidacy in March. That violates Anderson v Celebrezze. HB 894, an omnibus election law bill, also has another unconstitutional provision. It says “any person who files as a candidate to a public office shall be disqualified from participation in the election if such person is delinquent in the payment of any state income taxes, personal property taxes, or real property taxes.”

States cannot add to the qualifications to run for federal office. If the bill had been written by someone who is familiar with constitutional law regarding elections, the bill would have exempted candidates for federal office.