Last month, several Missouri state representatives introduced HB 2210 in the House. It is identical to SB 796. Both bills delete the requirement that petitions to create new ballot-qualified parties must list the party’s candidates for presidential elector, and the party’s presidential candidate, on the petition.

The only reason the law requires the presidential candidate, and the presidential elector candidates, on the petition for a new party is because of a drafting error back in 1993. Under current law, the party petition doesn’t list the party’s candidates for any other offices. Thanks to Ken Bush for this news, and also for bringing these bills into existence.