Missouri House approves moving primary election to June

Missouri House members have narrowly approved legislation moving the state’s primary elections to June.

Primaries for Congress, the state legislature and statewide offices now take place in early August in even-numbered years. The bill would move them to the third full week in June.

The House on Thursday approved the measure 84-67, sending it to the Senate. Eighty-two votes were required.

Supporters said earlier primaries would give candidates more time to raise money and prepare for general elections. Republicans have had contentious primaries in past elections that left candidates for statewide offices short on cash and bruised.

Opponents argued that June primaries could lead to more campaigning during the legislative session, which ends in the middle of May.

This story was originally published April 24, 2014 at 10:10 PM with the headline "Missouri House approves moving primary election to June."