On May 15, the Missouri legislature passed SB 631, an omnibus election law bill. Among other things, it raises candidate filing fees. U.S. Senate rises from $200 to $500. U.S. House rises from $100 to $300. State Senate also rises from $100 to $300. State House from $50 to $150. Presidential primary candidate fees rise from $1,000 to $5,000.
May 15 was the last day of the session. Bills that failed to pass include a conversion from open primaries to closed primaries, and measures to make it more difficult to use the initiative process to change the state Constitution. Thanks to Ken Bush for this news.
Which parties pay these fees?
In Missouri, filing fees are paid to the party. A candidate may pay the filing fee to a party official and then present the receipt to the government official, or pay the government official who forwards the cash to the party.
SB 631 changed this for statewide offices to require the fee to be paid directly to the party. In Missouri, first-day filers are placed in a lottery, with later candidates placed in the order of their filing. It is the practice of party officials to be available for accepting the fee on the first day of filing at the state capitol.
Established parties in Missouri are Constitution, Democratic, Green, Libertarian, and Republican parties. A party remains established it it receives 2% for a statewide office at least once every two elections (4 years).