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SB 1139

SB 1139 - This act reinstates the presidential preference primary election to be held on the second Tuesday in March of each year in which a presidential election is held. This act is identical to SB 670 (2025) and substantially similar to HCS/HBs 2387 & 2480 (2026), HB 417 (2025), provisions in HCS/HBs 126 & 367 (2025), provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 507 (2025), provisions in SB 1480 (2024), SB 1120 (2024), HCS/HB 1525 (2024), HB 2618 (2024), HCS/HB 2895 (2024), SB 602 (2023), HB 267 (2023), HB 347 (2023), HB 738 (2023) and certain provisions in CCS/HS/HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 96 (2023). SCOTT SVAGERA

2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Gregory

Missouri bill restores direct presidential primary voting, letting citizens select preferred nominees instead of relying on delegate-selection processes alone.

Second Read and Referred S Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1139

Legislative bill overview

SB 1139 would reinstate Missouri's Presidential Preference Primary Election, allowing voters to directly express their preference for presidential candidates during the primary election process. This reverses Missouri's current system and restores a voting mechanism the state previously eliminated.

Why is this important

Presidential preference primaries directly influence which candidates receive delegate support at national party conventions and shape the trajectory of presidential campaigns. For Missouri voters, reinstating this primary restores their formal voice in selecting party nominees rather than relying solely on delegate selection or caucus processes.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Administering a separate primary election carries costs for ballot printing, poll worker compensation, and election administration that the state may currently avoid
  • Party autonomy vs. voter participation: Tension exists between allowing political parties to choose their own nomination processes versus state-mandated voter participation mechanisms
  • Delegate allocation: Unclear how presidential preference results would translate into actual national convention delegates or whether this conflicts with existing party rules

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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