Three Missouri political parties – the Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians – currently enjoy “established party” status, meaning they have automatic ballot access. But a fourth could join those three in time for the 2010 general elections.
Laura Egerdal, Communications Director with the Secretary of State’s Office, says that while the results are not yet official, it appears as though the Constitutional Party picked up at least 2 percent of the votes cast in one of the statewide contests – the State Treasurer’s race – and that would give the party automatic access in 2010 and 2012.
Once a party hits the 2 percent threshold it is entitled to automatic ballot access for the next two general elections, meaning it does not have to collect signatures for ballot inclusion. All results are still unofficial, But those unofficial results show the Libertarian Party failed to pick 2 percent in any of the statewide races contested this year, meaning the party must garner 2 percent in 2010 or it will lose its “established party” status.
Counties will certify their results by November 18th, with the state certifying the results by December 9th.
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