‘Super Tuesday’ POTUS Primary Bill Advances in Missouri March 14, 2014

(AP) – Missouri’s Republican-led House has passed legislation setting the state’s 2016 presidential primary for March 15.

Missouri previously held its party primary in February, but faced losing some delegates to the 2016 Republican convention because of new party rules.

The Republicans only want four states – Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina – to hold contests in February. States that hold primaries before the March 15 date must also award delegates proportionally, not on a winner-take-all basis.

Sponsoring Rep. Tony Dugger, a Hartville Republican, says the bill ensures Missouri will be relevant in selecting the 2016 presidential nominee. Opponents say holding the primary in April when municipal elections take place would save money.

The House sent the bill to the Senate Thursday on a 97-48 vote.

Plan to Move Missouri Primary from August to June Advances March 4, 2014

(AP) – A House panel has endorsed legislation that moves Missouri’s primary elections to June.

Missouri now holds party primaries in even numbered years on the Tuesday after the first Monday in August. But the measure adopted by the committee would move the primaries to the first Tuesday after the third Monday in June.

The bill would take effect in 2016, meaning the primary date in that year would be June 21, instead of Aug. 9.

Sponsoring Rep. Tony Dugger, of Hartville, says earlier primaries would give candidates more time to compete for November’s general election. But some House members argue that lawmakers would have to campaign more aggressively during the legislative session, which runs through mid-May.

The House Elections Committee voted 9-2 in favor of the bill on Tuesday

Missouri Considers Moving Primary to June March 4, 2014

(AP) – A Missouri House panel is considering whether to move the state’s primary elections to June.

Missouri now holds party primaries for Congress, the Legislature and statewide offices in even-numbered years on the Tuesday after the first Monday in August. A House bill would move the primaries to the first Tuesday after the third Monday in June.

The House Elections Committee scheduled a hearing on the proposal Tuesday and planned to vote on it immediately.

Earlier primaries would give the winners more time to compete for November’s general election. They could also cause lawmakers to campaign more aggressively during the legislative session, which runs through mid-May.

The bill is sponsored by Republican Tony Dugger, of Hartville, with House Speaker Tim Jones as a co-sponsor.

Missouri Considers Changing Primary to June March 4, 2014

(AP) – A Missouri House panel is considering whether to move the state’s primary elections to June.

Missouri now holds party primaries for Congress, the Legislature and statewide offices in even-numbered years on the Tuesday after the first Monday in August. A House bill would move the primaries to the first Tuesday after the third Monday in June.

The House Elections Committee scheduled a hearing on the proposal Tuesday and planned to vote on it immediately.

Earlier primaries would give the winners more time to compete for November’s general election. They could also cause lawmakers to campaign more aggressively during the legislative session, which runs through mid-May.

The bill is sponsored by Republican Tony Dugger, of Hartville, with House Speaker Tim Jones as a co-sponsor.