Missouri Senate Committee Considers Reinstating Presidential Primary for 2028
Missouri lawmakers debate restoring the state’s presidential primary for 2028 after only 23,000 people participated in the 2024 caucus system.
JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI — Missouri lawmakers are considering whether to restore the state’s presidential primary and join a “Super Tuesday” voting bloc for the 2028 election cycle, following complaints about low participation in the 2024 caucus system.
The state Senate Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee heard testimony Monday on legislation that would reinstate Missouri’s presidential primary and schedule it for March 1, 2028, alongside at least 14 other states participating in Super Tuesday.
The bill would also bind Missouri’s delegates to support candidates based on primary results during the first ballot at national political conventions.
Party Leaders Support Primary Return
Leaders from both major political parties testified in favor of bringing back the state-run primary system. Miles Ross, executive director of the Missouri Republican Party, cited poor turnout during the 2024 caucuses as a reason for change.
“In 2024 we received just a ton of complaints from probably every legislative district in the state because we only got about 23,000 people participating” in the caucuses that replaced the primary, Ross said during his testimony.
Russ Carnahan, chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party, argued that participating in Super Tuesday would attract presidential candidates and campaign resources to Missouri. The Democratic Party held a private primary in 2024 with voting confined to a Saturday morning.
“We’d like Missouri to be relevant again,” Carnahan said.
Committee Delays Decision
The committee did not vote on the legislation following Monday’s hearing. State Sen. Mike Henderson, a Republican from Desloge who chairs the committee, said after the meeting that he remained uncertain about when or if he would schedule a vote on the bill.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by state Rep. Brad Banderman, a St. Clair Republican, aims to restore Missouri’s influence in the presidential nominating process.
National Primary Calendar Changes
The timing of presidential primaries has become increasingly complex as both major parties work to establish their preferred calendars. Traditionally, Iowa holds the first caucuses followed by New Hampshire’s first primary.
Republicans have maintained this traditional calendar structure, while Democrats have pushed to allow other states to vote earlier in the process. Both parties recognize March 1 as the earliest date that states can begin their delegate selection process, outside of the early voting states.
Missouri’s potential participation in Super Tuesday would represent a shift from the caucus system that generated criticism for its limited participation and accessibility issues.
