HB 1064 is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, masquerading as a minor procedural change but poised to gut the very heart of our political parties in Missouri. If this bill passes, it will strip parties of their ability to protect voters from candidates who don’t truly represent their values. Imagine a world where anyone can slap on a party label, pay a fee, and deceive voters into thinking they stand for something they don’t. That’s the dystopia HB 1064 is ushering in. We need to stop it—now.
What HB 1064 Does
House Bill 1064, introduced by Representative Murphy, amends section 115.357 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo) concerning candidate filing fees. Under the current law, political parties have some discretion over who can run under their banner by controlling who gets to pay the filing fee to the party’s treasurer. But HB 1064 adds a new subsection that changes everything. It states that if a candidate has been affiliated with the party for at least 26 weeks (about six months) before the last Tuesday in February preceding the primary election, the party *cannot* reject their filing fee. Translation: if you’ve been registered with the party for six months, you’re in, no matter what you actually believe or stand for.
Why This Is a Disaster
This is a disaster for party integrity. Political parties aren’t just clubs; they’re private organizations with specific platforms and values. They need to be able to vet candidates to ensure they align with those values. Without that ability, chaos ensues. A candidate could be a wolf in sheep’s clothing—pretending to be a conservative while pushing liberal policies, or vice versa. Voters would be left in the dark, unable to trust that the party label means anything anymore. HB 1064 doesn’t just weaken parties; it makes them meaningless.
Consider this: a candidate who’s been a party member for six months but holds views completely opposed to the party’s platform could still run in the primary. The party would be powerless to stop them. This opens the door for individuals to exploit the party brand, confuse voters, and dilute the party’s message. It’s a threat to the clarity and reliability that voters depend on when they cast their ballots.
Take Action Now
We can’t let this happen. If you care about the integrity of our political system, you need to act. Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Submit Online Testimony: It’s easy and makes a difference. Click Here! and share your opposition to the bill. If you’re unsure how to do it, check out this step-by-step guide: ACT4MO guide to submitting online testimony. Your voice matters, and lawmakers need to hear it.
- Call Your State Representative: Tell them to oppose HB 1064. Not sure who your representative is or how to contact them? Find them here: Who is my representative? A quick, polite phone call can send a powerful message.
Every action counts, and we need yours now.
Don’t Let HB 1064 Destroy Our Political Parties
HB 1064 is a Trojan horse, and if we don’t stop it, we’ll wake up to a political landscape where party labels are just empty words. This isn’t about limiting democracy—it’s about protecting it from deception and confusion. Share this article, talk to your friends, and make some noise. The future of our political system in Missouri depends on it. Let’s stand together and tell the Missouri House to reject HB 1064!