Filing Time is Here Again ...

Well ... the wait is just about over.  We've heard quite a bit from people who are thinking of running for statewide political offices like Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Attorney General ... And we've heard from many people thinking of running for State Senator or State Representative ... And we've heard from a lot of people talking about going after the 9th District Congressional seat that Congressman Kenny Hulshof is giving up to run for Governor. 

Now it's time for the rubber to meet the road.  Candidates or would-be candidates for these seats and the other eight Congressional seats must file papers at the Secretary of State's Office in Jefferson City.  All must file in person ... except for those with physical disabilities and those who are on active duty with the U.S. military.

The filing begins at 8 o'clock Tuesday morning and Ryan Hobart with the Secretary of State's Office expects to see about 350 candidates filing on the first day.  That estimate is based on other years in which a presidential election is being held.

Of course, there is no need to file on "opening day."  It's a little like the old days (the 1970s) when people like me, who were teenagers at the time, slept on sidewalks outside rock concert venues to be as close to first in line as possible to buy tickets to a big show.  We were tough!

Eventually, companies like TicketMaster and other huge ticket vendors ended up selling the tickets at various outlets throughout the country.  Now, tickets are routinely bought online ... so there is no need to line up outside the arena, anymore.  And, while there was a time that candidates waited outside the Secretary of State's Office in a bid to be first to file, that really doesn't do anyone any good these days.  Anyone filing on the first day will draw a number to determine the order of names on the ballot.  So, you can wait outside all night or show up at ten minutes before closing time on opening day and the chances are about the same. 

Why does ballot order matter?  According to many of those who claim to be in the know ... In an election in which voters do not know one candidate from another, many voters will opt for for either the first name on the list ... or the last name.  Other "experts" say that's nonsense.  Time will tell.  Filing runs through March 25th.

- Steve Walsh