On Monday, the Missouri Senate Financial, Governmental Organizations, and Elections Committee heard testimony on several measures. Senate Bill 1245, sponsored by Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, would bar a felon from holding public office in the state.

The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 1310, sponsored by Rep. Theodore Hoskins (D-Berkeley). The legislation would require independent candidates to file declarations of candidacy and petitions for nomination by the same deadlines established for other candidates.

Committee chairman Sen. Delbert Scott (R-Lowry City) said the bill would help make the playing field more level and help prevent political “games” commonly played by both Democrats and Republicans.

Sen. Harry Kennedy (D-St. Louis) said the bill would help prevent “shenanigans” and people trying to “skirt the system.”

The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 1231, a proposal to implement instant runoff voting in Missouri, a system where voters rank the candidates in order of preference using one ballot.

Sen. Jeff Smith (D-St. Louis) presented the bill on behalf of sponsor Sen. John Loudon (R-Chesterfield).

Under the system, if no candidate has a majority, the lowest ranked candidate drops out and the next highest rankings on the ballots are attributed to the other candidates accordingly, until a candidate achieves a majority.