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SB 985
Missouri Senate•In Senate Committee
Summary
SB 985, which modifies provisions relative to the Secretary of State, was introduced in the Senate on Dec 1, 2025 by Sen. Jill Carter (R). It was referred to Local Government, Elections and Pensions, and last saw action on Feb 23, 2026: Hearing Conducted S Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee.
Record
Text
SB 985 has no co-sponsors and has not gone to a roll call.
sb985/introduced.txtSECOND REGULAR SESSIONSENATE BILL NO. 985103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLYINTRODUCED BY SENATOR CARTER.4160S.02I KRISTINA MARTIN, SecretaryAN ACTTo repeal sections 115.157, 115.283, 115.507, 347.740, 351.127, 355.023, 356.233, 359.653,400.9-528, and 417.018, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof eleven new sectionsrelating to the secretary of state.Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:1Section A. Sections 115.157, 115.283, 115.507, 347.740,2 351.127, 355.023, 356.233, 359.653, 400.9-528, and 417.018,3 RSMo, are repealed and eleven new sections enacted in lieu4 thereof, to be known as sections 115.008, 115.157, 115.283,5 115.507, 347.740, 351.127, 355.023, 356.233, 359.653, 400.9-6 528, and 417.018, to read as follows:1115.008. The secretary of state shall establish a2 unique identification coding system for all precincts in the3 state resulting in unique identification codes for each4 precinct in the state. Such system shall be based upon the5 Federal Information Processing Standards codes issued by the6 National Institute of Standards and Technology. Election7 authorities shall be responsible for implementing the8 unique identification coding system for all precincts within9 its jurisdiction in compliance with the format set out by10 the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall11 promulgate rules for the implementation of this section.12 Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in13 section 536.010, that is created under the authorityEXPLANATION-Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in this bill is not enactedand is intended to be omitted in the law.SB 985 214 delegated in this section shall become effective only if it15 complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of16 chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This17 section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the18 powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter19 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove20 and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional,21 then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed22 or adopted after August 28, 2026, shall be invalid and void.1115.157. 1. The election authority may place all2 information on any registration cards in computerized form3 in accordance with section 115.158. No election authority4 or secretary of state shall furnish to any member of the5 public electronic media or printout showing any registration6 information, except as provided in this section. Except as7 provided in subsection 2 of this section, the election8 authority or secretary of state shall make available9 electronic media or printouts showing only unique voter10 identification numbers, voters' names, year of birth,11 addresses, townships or wards, and precincts. Electronic12 data shall be maintained in at least the following separate13 fields:14(1) Voter identification number;15(2) First name;16(3) Middle initial;17(4) Last name;18(5) Suffix;19(6) Street number;20(7) Street direction;21(8) Street name;22(9) Street suffix;23(10) Apartment number;SB 985 324(11) City;25(12) State;26(13) Zip code;27(14) Township;28(15) Ward;29(16) Precinct;30(17) Senatorial district;31(18) Representative district;32(19) Congressional district; and33(20) Political party affiliation.342. All election authorities shall enter voter history35 in their computerized registration systems and shall, not36 more than three months after the election, forward such data37 to the Missouri voter registration system established in38 section 115.158. In addition, election authorities shall39 forward registration and other data in a manner prescribed40 by the secretary of state to comply with the Help America41 Vote Act of 2002.423. Except as provided in subsection 6 of this section,43 the election authority shall furnish, for a fee, electronic44 media or a printout showing only the names, year of birth,45 addresses, and political party affiliations of voters, or46 any part thereof, within the jurisdiction of the election47 authority who voted in any specific election, including48 primary elections, by township, ward or precinct, provided49 that nothing in this chapter shall require such voter50 information to be released to the public over the internet51 and shall not be used for commercial purposes.524. Except as provided in subsection 6 of this section,53 upon a request by a candidate, a duly authorized54 representative of a campaign committee, or a political party55 committee, the secretary of state shall furnish, for a feeSB 985 456 determined by the secretary of state and in compliance with57 section 610.026, media in an electronic format or, if so58 requested, in a printed format, showing the names,59 addresses, and voter identification numbers of voters within60 the jurisdiction of a specific election authority who61 applied for an absentee ballot under section 115.279 for any62 specific election involving a ballot measure or an office63 for which the declaration of candidacy is required to be64 filed with the secretary of state pursuant to section65 115.353, including primary elections, by township, ward, or66 precinct. Nothing in this section shall require such voter67 information to be released to the public over the internet.68 For purposes of this section, the terms "candidate",69 "campaign committee", and "political party committee" shall70 have the same meaning given to such terms in section 130.011.715. The amount of fees charged for information provided72 in this section shall be established pursuant to chapter73 610. All revenues collected by the secretary of state74 pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the state75 treasury and credited to the secretary of state's technology76 trust fund account established pursuant to section 28.160.77 In even-numbered years, each election authority shall, upon78 request, supply the voter registration list for its79 jurisdiction to all candidates and party committees for a80 charge established pursuant to chapter 610. Except as81 provided in subsection 6 of this section, all election82 authorities shall make the information described in this83 section available pursuant to chapter 610. Any election84 authority who fails to comply with the requirements of this85 section shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 610.866. Any person working as an undercover officer of a87 local, state or federal law enforcement agency, persons inSB 985 588 witness protection programs, and victims of domestic89 violence and abuse who have received orders of protection90 pursuant to chapter 455 shall be entitled to apply to the91 circuit court having jurisdiction in his or her county of92 residence to have the residential address on his or her93 voter registration records closed to the public if the94 release of such information could endanger the safety of the95 person. Any person working as an undercover agent or in a96 witness protection program shall also submit a statement97 from the chief executive officer of the agency under whose98 direction he or she is serving. The petition to close the99 residential address shall be incorporated into any petition100 for protective order provided by circuit clerks pursuant to101 chapter 455. If satisfied that the person filing the102 petition meets the qualifications of this subsection, the103 circuit court shall issue an order to the election authority104 to keep the residential address of the voter a closed record105 and the address may be used only for the purposes of106 administering elections pursuant to this chapter. The107 election authority may require the voter who has a closed108 residential address record to verify that his or her109 residential address has not changed or to file a change of110 address and to affirm that the reasons contained in the111 original petition are still accurate prior to receiving a112 ballot. A change of address within an election authority's113 jurisdiction shall not require that the voter file a new114 petition. Any voter who no longer qualifies pursuant to115 this subsection to have his or her residential address as a116 closed record shall notify the circuit court. Upon such117 notification, the circuit court shall void the order closing118 the residential address and so notify the election authority.SB 985 61197. Not later than the third Wednesday prior to each120 election, the secretary of state shall publish a voter121 registration list on the secretary's website containing only122 the following information for each person registered to vote123 as of the fourth Wednesday prior to the election: unique124 voter identification number, voter's name, year of birth,125 address, township or ward, and precinct.1115.283. 1. Each ballot envelope shall bear a2 statement [on which the voter shall state] containing the3 following: the precinct code, as identified pursuant to4 section 115.008, that corresponds to the voter's voting5 address; the voter's name[,]; the voter's voting address[,];6 the voter's mailing address; and the voter's reason for7 voting an absentee ballot. If the reason for the voter8 voting absentee is due to the reasons established under9 subdivision (6) of subsection 3 of section 115.277, the10 voter shall state the voter's identification information11 provided by the address confidentiality program in lieu of12 the applicant's name, voting address, and mailing address.13 On the form, the voter shall also state under penalties of14 perjury that the voter is qualified to vote in the election,15 that the voter has not previously voted and will not vote16 again in the election, that the voter has personally marked17 the voter's ballot in secret or supervised the marking of18 the voter's ballot if the voter is unable to mark it, that19 the ballot has been placed in the ballot envelope and sealed20 by the voter or under the voter's supervision if the voter21 is unable to seal it, and that all information contained in22 the statement is true. In addition, any person providing23 assistance to the absentee voter shall include a statement24 on the envelope identifying the person providing assistance25 under penalties of perjury. Persons authorized to vote onlySB 985 726 for federal and statewide officers shall also state their27 former Missouri residence.282. The statement for persons voting absentee ballots29 who are registered voters shall be in substantially the30 following form:31State of Missouri32County (City) of _______________33I, ______ (print name), a registered voter of34______ County (City of St. Louis, Kansas35City), declare under the penalties of perjury36that I am voting in person at a location37designated by the local election authority or38I expect to be prevented from going to the39polls on election day due to (check one):40______ absence on election day from the41jurisdiction of the election authority42in which I am registered;43______ incapacity or confinement due to illness44or physical disability on election day,45including caring for a person who is46incapacitated or confined due to illness47or disability and resides at the same48address;49______ religious belief or practice;50______ employment as an election authority, by51an election authority at a location52other than my polling place, as a first53responder, as a health care worker, or54as a member of law enforcement;55______ incarceration, although I have retained56all the necessary qualifications for57voting;SB 985 858______ certified participation in the address59confidentiality program established60under sections 589.660 to 589.68161because of safety concerns.62I hereby state under penalties of perjury that63I am qualified to vote at this election; I64have not voted and will not vote other than by65this ballot at this election. I further state66that I marked the enclosed ballot in secret or67that I am blind, unable to read or write68English, or physically incapable of marking69the ballot, and the person of my choosing70indicated below marked the ballot at my71direction; all of the information on this72statement is, to the best of my knowledge and73belief, true.74__________________ __________________75Signature of Voter Signature of Person76Assisting Voter77(if applicable)78Signed ______ Subscribed and sworn79Signed ______ to before me this80Address of Voter ______day of ______,81______82__________________ __________________83__________________ __________________84Mailing Addresses Signature of notary or85(if different) other officer86authorized toSB 985 987administer oaths883. The statement for persons voting absentee ballots89 pursuant to the provisions of subsection 4, 5, or 6 of90 section 115.277 without being registered shall be in91 substantially the following form:92State of Missouri93County (City) of ______94 I, ______ (print name), declare under the95 penalties of perjury that I am a citizen of the96 United States and eighteen years of age or older.97 I am not adjudged incapacitated by any court of98 law, and if I have been convicted of a felony or99 of a misdemeanor connected with the right of100 suffrage, I have had the voting disabilities101 resulting from such conviction removed pursuant102 to law. I hereby state under penalties of perjury103 that I am qualified to vote at this election.104 I am an interstate former resident of Missouri105 and authorized to vote for presidential and vice106 presidential electors.107 I further state under penalties of perjury that I108 have not voted and will not vote other than by109 this ballot at this election; I marked the110 enclosed ballot in secret or am blind, unable to111 read or write English, or physically incapable of112 marking the ballot, and the person of my choosing113 indicated below marked the ballot at my114 direction; all of the information on this115 statement is, to the best of my knowledge and116 belief, true.117 __________________ Subscribed to andSB 985 10118 Signature of Voter sworn before me this119______ day of120______, ______121 __________________122 __________________ __________________123 Address of Voter Signature of notary or124other officer125authorized to126administer oaths127 __________________ __________________128 Mailing Address (if __________________129 different)130__________________131 __________________ __________________132 Signature of Person Address of Last133 Assisting Voter Missouri Residence134(if applicable)1354. The statement for persons voting absentee ballots136 who are entitled to vote at the election pursuant to the137 provisions of subsection 2 of section 115.137 shall be in138 substantially the following form:139 State of Missouri140 County (City) of ______SB 985 11141 I, ______ (print name), declare under the142 penalties of perjury that I expect to be prevented143 from going to the polls on election day due to144 (check one):145 ______ absence on election day from the146jurisdiction of the election authority in147which I am directed to vote;148 ______ incapacity or confinement due to illness149or physical disability on election day,150including caring for a person who is151incapacitated or confined due to illness152or disability and resides at the same153address;154 ______ religious belief or practice;155 ______ employment as an election authority, by an156election authority at a location other157than my polling place, as a first158responder, as a health care worker, or as159a member of law enforcement;160 ______ incarceration, although I have retained161all the necessary qualifications of162voting;163 ______ certified participation in the address164confidentiality program established under165sections 589.660 to 589.681 because of166safety concerns.167 I hereby state under penalties of perjury that I168 own property in the ______ district and am169 qualified to vote at this election; I have not170 voted and will not vote other than by this ballot171 at this election. I further state that I marked172 the enclosed ballot in secret or that I am blind,173 unable to read and write English, or physically174 incapable of marking the ballot, and the person of175 my choosing indicated below marked the ballot atSB 985 12176 my direction; all of the information on this177 statement is, to the best of my knowledge and178 belief, true.179 __________________ Subscribed and sworn180 Signature of Voter to before me this181______ day of182______, ______183 __________________184 __________________ __________________185 Address Signature of notary or186other officer187authorized to188administer oaths189 __________________190 Signature of Person191 Assisting Voter192 (if applicable)1935. The statement for persons providing assistance to194 absentee voters shall be in substantially the following form:195 The voter needed assistance in marking the ballot196 and signing above, because of blindness, other197 physical disability, or inability to read or to198 read English. I marked the ballot enclosed in this199 envelope at the voter's direction, when I was200 alone with the voter, and I had no other201 communication with the voter as to how he or sheSB 985 13202 was to vote. The voter swore or affirmed the voter203 affidavit above and I then signed the voter's name204 and completed the other voter information above.205 Signed under the penalties of perjury.206 Reason why voter needed assistance: ______207 ASSISTING PERSON SIGN HERE208 1. ______ (signature of assisting person)209 2. ______ (assisting person's name printed)210 3. ______ (assisting person's residence)211 4. ______ (assisting person's home city or town).2126. Notwithstanding any other provision of this213 section, any covered voter as defined in section 115.902 or214 persons who have declared themselves to be permanently215 disabled pursuant to section 115.284, otherwise entitled to216 vote, shall not be required to obtain a notary seal or217 signature on his or her absentee ballot.2187. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section219 or section 115.291 to the contrary, the subscription,220 signature and seal of a notary or other officer authorized221 to administer oaths shall not be required on any ballot,222 ballot envelope, or statement required by this section if223 the reason for the voter voting absentee is due to the224 reasons established pursuant to subdivision (2) of225 subsection 3 of section 115.277.2268. No notary shall charge or collect a fee for227 notarizing the signature on any absentee ballot or absentee228 voter registration.2299. A notary public who charges more than the maximum230 fee specified or who charges or collects a fee forSB 985 14231 notarizing the signature on any absentee ballot or absentee232 voter registration is guilty of official misconduct.1115.507. 1. Not later than the second Tuesday after2 the election, the verification board shall issue a statement3 announcing the results of each election held within its4 jurisdiction and shall certify the returns to each political5 subdivision and special district submitting a candidate or6 question at the election. The statement shall include a7 categorization of the number of regular and absentee votes8 cast in the election, and how those votes were cast;9 provided however, that absentee votes shall not be reported10 separately where such reporting would disclose how any11 single voter cast his or her vote. When absentee votes are12 not reported separately the statement shall include the13 reason why such reporting did not occur. Nothing in this14 section shall be construed to require the election authority15 to tabulate absentee ballots by precinct on election night.162. The verification board shall prepare the returns by17 drawing an abstract of the votes cast for each candidate and18 on each question submitted to a vote of people in its19 jurisdiction by the state and by each political subdivision20 and special district at the election. The abstract of votes21 drawn by the verification board shall be the official22 returns of the election.233. Any home rule city with more than four hundred24 thousand inhabitants and located in more than one county may25 by ordinance designate one of the election authorities26 situated partially or wholly within that home rule city to27 be the verification board that shall certify the returns of28 such city submitting a candidate or question at any election29 and shall notify each verification board within the city of30 that designation by providing each with a copy of such dulySB 985 1531 adopted ordinance. Not later than the second Tuesday after32 any election in any city making such a designation, each33 verification board within the city shall certify the returns34 of such city submitting a candidate or question at the35 election to the election authority so designated by the city36 to be its verification board, and such election authority37 shall announce the results of the election and certify the38 cumulative returns to the city in conformance with39 subsections 1 and 2 of this section not later than ten days40 thereafter.414. Not later than the second Tuesday after each42 election at which the name of a candidate for nomination or43 election to the office of president of the United States,44 United States senator, representative in Congress, governor,45 lieutenant governor, state senator, state representative,46 judge of the circuit court, secretary of state, attorney47 general, state treasurer, or state auditor, or at which an48 initiative, referendum, constitutional amendment or question49 of retaining a judge subject to the provisions of Article V,50 Sections 25(a) to 25(g) of the State Constitution, appears51 on the ballot in a jurisdiction, the election authority of52 the jurisdiction shall mail or deliver to the secretary of53 state the abstract of the votes, including both regular54 votes and absentee votes aggregated together, given in its55 jurisdiction, by [polling place or] precinct, for each such56 office and on each such question. If mailed, the abstract57 shall be enclosed in a strong, sealed envelope or58 envelopes. On the outside of each envelope shall be59 printed: "Returns of election held in the county of ______60 (City of St. Louis, Kansas City) on the ______ day of61 ______, ______,", etc.SB 985 161347.740. The secretary of state may collect an2 additional fee of five dollars on each and every fee3 required in this chapter. All fees collected as provided in4 this section shall be deposited in the state treasury and5 credited to the secretary of state's technology trust fund6 account. The provisions of this section shall expire on7 December 31, [2026] 2030.1351.127. The secretary of state may collect an2 additional fee of five dollars on each and every fee3 required in this chapter, provided that the secretary of4 state may collect an additional fee of ten dollars on each5 corporate registration report fee filed under section6 351.122. All fees collected as provided in this section7 shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the8 secretary of state's technology trust fund account. The9 provisions of this section shall expire on December 31,10 [2026] 2030.1355.023. The secretary of state may collect an2 additional fee of five dollars on each and every fee3 required in this chapter. All fees collected as provided in4 this section shall be deposited in the state treasury and5 credited to the secretary of state's technology trust fund6 account. The provisions of this section shall expire on7 December 31, [2026] 2030.1356.233. The secretary of state may collect an2 additional fee of five dollars on each and every fee3 required in this chapter. All fees collected as provided in4 this section shall be deposited in the state treasury and5 credited to the secretary of state's technology trust fund6 account. The provisions of this section shall expire on7 December 31, [2026] 2030.SB 985 171359.653. The secretary of state may collect an2 additional fee of five dollars on each and every fee3 required in this chapter. All fees collected as provided in4 this section shall be deposited in the state treasury and5 credited to the secretary of state's technology trust fund6 account. The provisions of this section shall expire on7 December 31, [2026] 2030.1400.9-528. The secretary of state may collect an2 additional fee of five dollars on each and every fee paid to3 the secretary of state as required in chapter 400.9. All4 fees collected as provided in this section shall be5 deposited in the state treasury and credited to the6 secretary of state's technology trust fund account. The7 provisions of this section shall expire on December 31,8 [2026] 2030.1417.018. The secretary of state may collect an2 additional fee of five dollars on each and every fee3 required in this chapter. All fees collected as provided in4 this section shall be deposited in the state treasury and5 credited to the secretary of state's technology trust fund6 account. The provisions of this section shall expire on7 December 31, [2026] 2030.✓
Modifies provisions relative to the Secretary of State
Sponsors
Sen. Jill Carter (R) sponsors SB 985 alone.
Committees
SB 985 went before 1 committee: Local Government, Elections and Pensions.
Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Local Government, Elections and Pensions
Referred to · Jan 8, 2026 · 49 Bills
History
SB 985 has taken 4 actions since Dec 1, 2025, the latest on Feb 23, 2026.
| Chamber | Action | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Feb 23, 2026 | Senate | Hearing Conducted S Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee | ||
Jan 8, 2026 | Senate | Second Read and Referred S Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee | ||
Jan 7, 2026 | Senate | S First Read | ||
Dec 1, 2025 | Senate | Prefiled |
Votes
SB 985 has not gone to a roll call.
Source: senate.mo.gov · legiscan.com