For Candidates
2020
Presidential Preference Primary Election March 10, 2020
For the 2020 Election Cycle, the Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. The filing period for candidates for the Presidential Primary from Missouri's established political parties begins at 8:00 a.m. on November 26, 2019 and ends at 5:00 p.m. on December 24, 2019 (Sections 115.123 and 115.755, RSMo.).
However, primary voters may select only one party's ballot. Voters who do not wish to give a political party preference may request an issues only ballot, if one is available in that particular jurisdiction.
The 5 established parties in Missouri are: Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, Constitution, and Green.
Primary Election August 4, 2020
The 2020 Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 (the 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in August for even numbered years). The filing period for candidates for the August 4, 2020 Primary Election begins at 8:00 a.m. on February 25, 2020 and ends at 5:00 p.m. on March 31, 2020 (Section 115.349, RSMo.).
Individuals voting in the Primary Election may select a party ballot of their choice (Section 115.121.2, RSMo.). Voters who do not wish to select a party ballot may request a ballot containing other issues, if their jurisdiction’s ballot contains issues.
The 5 established parties in Missouri are: Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, Constitution, and Green.
Independent Candidates
Deadline for submitting petitions for independent candidate nominations for the November 3, 2020 election: 5:00 p.m. July 27, 2020 (Section 115.329.1, RSMo.)
In addition to the independent candidate petition, an independent candidate for U.S. President must submit the following documents:
Write-in Candidates
Deadline for submitting a Write-in Candidate Declaration of Intent for the November 3, 2020 election: 5:00 p.m. October 23, 2020 (Section 115.453(4), RSMo.).
A Write-in Candidate is a person whose name is not printed on the ballot (Section 115.453(4-6), RSMo.) and who has filed a Declaration of Intent to be a Write-in Candidate for election to office with the proper election authority prior to 5:00 p.m. on October 23, 2020 (Section 115.453(4), RSMo.). It is not necessary to file a Declaration of Intent if there are no candidates on the ballot for that office (Section 115.453(4), RSMo.).
A write-in candidate for U.S. President must complete the following:
Establishing a New Party
The deadline for submitting petitions for new parties and candidate nominations for the November 3, 2020 election is 5:00 p.m. on July 27, 2020 (Section 115.329.1, RSMo.). Please contact the Elections Division for more information at 573-751-2301 or email at elections@sos.mo.gov.