Per Missouri law (RSMo 115.357) and OCRC bylaws, candidates seeking to appear on the ballot as Republicans must pay their filing fee to the committee treasurer and receive a receipt from the committee. Without completing the required vetting process and obtaining our receipt, the committee does not accept the fee or recognize the candidacy under the Republican label.
In 2024, when the former Osage County Clerk accepted a cash filing fee directly from a candidate who had not completed vetting (for Coroner) and placed that individual on the ballot as a Republican, OCRC filed a lawsuit against the clerk to enforce our authority over the party nomination process. The county commission approved the use of county funds to hire outside counsel, who filed an answer and motion to dismiss on the clerk’s behalf. No hearing was requested by either side, and as of early 2026 the case remains pending with no further action or docket removal by the court.
This ongoing matter underscores the significant legal implications — even in small counties — of a political party’s First Amendment right to control who may use its name on the ballot.
