SB 836: Elections Omnibus & Presidential Primary
Sponsor: Sandy Crawford
OPPOSE
Expands Govt & Costs
SB 836 is an omnibus elections bill that re-establishes a statewide presidential preference primary in early March at state expense, despite it being non-binding for delegate selection. It also doubles the no-excuse in-person early voting period from two weeks to four weeks, expands the use of provisional ballots and signature verification across all elections, and increases the no-electioneering buffer zone outside polling places to 50 feet.
What Does This Bill Do?
- Presidential Primary: Re-establishes a statewide presidential preference primary in March that is taxpayer-funded but non-binding for delegate selection.
- Early Voting Expansion: Doubles the no-excuse in-person absentee voting ("early voting") period from two weeks to four weeks before Election Day.
- Provisional Ballots: Expands the use of provisional ballots and signature verification procedures to all public elections, not just federal/state ones.
Constitutional or Critical Context
This bill bundles multiple significant policy choices—like a new statewide election and expanded early voting—into one "omnibus" package with a generic "relating to elections" title. Act for Missouri views this as lacking transparency and creating a "pretend primary" where taxpayers fund an election that parties can simply ignore.
Red Flags & Recommended Amendments
Taxpayer-Funded "Pretend" Primary
The state pays for a primary election that parties can ignore. It misleads voters into thinking they are selecting a nominee when the real decision happens in private caucuses.
Establishing "Election Month"
Expanding no-excuse early voting to four weeks increases administrative burdens, opportunities for error, and pushes Missouri away from a singular Election Day.
Act for Missouri Recommendation:
SB 836 doesn't strengthen confidence in our elections—it expands "Election Month," spends taxpayer dollars on a fake presidential primary that doesn't even decide delegates, and packs too many controversial changes into one bill under a vague title. We oppose SB 836.