MO SB225

Beginning January 1, 2012, circuit judges and associate circuit judges shall be elected on the primary election date as nonpartisan candidates designated on all ballots, with candidates requiring a majority of votes to win.

If no candidate receives a majority of votes, the top two vote-getters advance to a runoff election held on the next general election date.

Filing period for nonpartisan judicial candidates runs from 8:00 a.m. on the last Tuesday in February through 5:00 p.m. on the last Tuesday in March of the election year.

Nonpartisan judges and candidates are prohibited from campaigning as members of political parties, publicly advertising party affiliation (except for voting purposes), endorsing other candidates, making political speeches on behalf of others, serving on party committees, contributing to other candidates, or coordinating campaign costs with other candidates.

Exceptions apply to judges elected under Missouri Constitution Article V sections 25(a)-(g) and to incumbent judges elected before January 1, 2012, who may continue running in partisan elections.