Bill #: HB 1871

LWVMO SUPPORTS

Short Description: This bill increases the no excuse absentee (early) voting period from two weeks to four weeks and also reinstates the presidential primary.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing Tuesday, January 13 at 8:00 AM in the House Elections Committee.

Talking points:

• Early voting facilitates voter participation.
• It reduces stress on election workers and makes elections less vulnerable to disruption.
• A presidential primary encourages greater participation as voters can access primaries over longer voting periods while caucuses have a limited window for participation and have seen low turnout.

Link to the summary of the bill: HB 1871

Call to action: Submit testimony HERE in SUPPORT of HB 1871. Please ensure you mark In Support Of under “Reason” in the testimony form.

LWV Position: Support no-excuse absentee voting either by mail or in person, advance voting and measures that facilitate participation in the election process and expand all forms of early voting and work to reduce election administration stress. (LWVMO Guide to State Action, page 6, 16)

The League supports electoral systems at each level of government that encourage participation, are verifiable and auditable, and enhance representation for all voters. (LWVMO Guide to State Action, page 64)

LWVMN killing of Renee Nicole Good Statement: Here

Information on 2026 LWVMO Lobby Day of Action: Here

League of Women Voters of Missouri: www.lwvmissouri.org

Register to Vote / check vote registration and more at : Vote411.org

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Track Missouri Bills: www.senate.mo.gov | www.house.mo.gov

The League of Women Voters envisions a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate. We believe in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy.

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