HCS HB 387 -- PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES

SPONSOR:  May (Pearce)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Elections
by a vote of 7 to 5.

This substitute eliminates the presidential primary in Missouri.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Savings to General Revenue Fund of
$3,712,000 in FY 2004, $0 in FY 2005, and $0 in FY 2006.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will save the state a
lot of money because voter turnout is low at presidential
primaries while the cost of conducting the election is very high.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Pearce; Gilbert
Powers, Johnson County Clerk; Mary Berry, DeKalb County Clerk;
and Peggy McGaugh, Carroll County Clerk.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that holding the
presidential primary will bring money and national media
attention to the state and allow students to participate fully in
the voting process.

Testifying against the bill was Associated Students of the
University of Missouri.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:11 am