JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft thanked candidates and staff for a successful start to the August primary candidate filing period which opened February 22 at 8 a.m. A total of 337 candidates visited the secretary of state’s office yesterday to ensure their names will appear on the August 2 primary ballot.
Ashcroft believes public service is a calling more than a job.
“We’re grateful to all the candidates who filed at our office,” Ashcroft said. “I understand the sacrifice and commitment required to run for public office and I thank those willing to serve the people of Missouri.”
Of the 337 candidates that filed, 236 filed as Republican, 95 as Democrat and 6 as Libertarian.
Candidates for U.S. and state offices, along with some judges, are required to file in person at the Secretary of State’s office building located at 600 W. Main St. in Jefferson City. Candidate filing will continue through March 29 during regular office hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Candidates who filed on the first day drew a random number to determine ballot placement. Candidates filing after the first day are placed on the ballot in filing time order. Exceptions for in-person filing are made to candidates that are active duty members of the armed services or unable to appear in person due to physical disabilities.
For a current list of filed candidates, visit sos.mo.gov/candidatesonweb
For more information on candidate filing, visit sos.mo.gov/elections/candidates.