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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


February 27, 2026

 

368 Candidates File on First Day of Missouri Candidate Filing

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Secretary of State’s Office welcomed 368 candidates to file for office on the first day of the 2026 candidate filing period, marking a strong and energetic start to the election cycle. As of sending, 380 candidates have officially filed.

Candidate filing for the August 4, 2026 Primary Election opened at 8:00 a.m. on February 24 and will remain open through 5:00 p.m. on March 31, 2026, in accordance with Missouri law.

Throughout the day, candidates from across the state visited the Secretary of State’s Office to officially place their names in consideration for public office. The filing process proceeded efficiently and without incident, thanks to careful preparation and the professionalism of the Elections Division team.

“Tuesday was an efficient and energetic start to the 2026 election cycle,” said Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins. “I want to thank our dedicated Elections team for their professionalism and preparation, and I want to thank every candidate who stepped forward to serve. Running for office is an act of faith in our system and in our state. Missouri’s election process is clear, consistent, and rooted in law—and we are proud to administer it fairly for all.”

Secretary Hoskins emphasized the importance of the candidate filing process as the official first step in placing names on the ballot for Missouri voters.

“Elections are the foundation of our constitutional republic,” Hoskins said. “Our role is to ensure that the process is transparent, orderly, and consistent with Missouri statutes. We are ready for the 2026 midterms and fully committed to supporting our local election authorities as they prepare to administer secure and accessible elections across the state.”

The Secretary of State’s Office works year-round in partnership with Missouri’s 116 local election authorities to administer elections, maintain voter rolls, and provide clear guidance to candidates and voters alike.

  • Members of the public may review candidates as they file online through the Secretary of State’s website at: https://s1.sos.mo.gov/CandidatesOnWeb/
  • Additional information about candidate filing and the 2026 election cycle is available at sos.mo.gov.

Candidate filing will continue weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office in Jefferson City through March 31, 2026.