After backlash to March primary, Missouri lawmakers debate reversing 2022 election change

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) — After this year’s presidential preference primary in Missouri, many voters called for state lawmakers to return the process to state control.

The 2024 election cycle was the first presidential primary to be administered by a party-run primary system after Gov. Mike Parson signed a 2022 law to shift the burden from state and local election officials.

“My sense is that the clerks obviously didn’t like having two elections within 30 days of each other because of some logistical concerns and evidentiary concerns if there are problems or audits,” Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said. “There was also the concern about the cost.”

According to Ashcroft, running the presidential preference primary cost state and local governments roughly $10 million. The new system also allowed the individual parties to restrict participation to only registered members.




https://www.ky3.com/2024/04/24/after-backlash-march-primary-missouri-lawmakers-debate-reversing-2022-election-change/