Our Candidate Vetting Process: Building Trust Through Principles

Why We Vet Candidates

As the official Republican voice in Osage County, Missouri, the Osage County Republican Committee (OCRC) vets candidates to ensure they align with core conservative values and the Missouri Republican Party Platform.

Vetting is fair, transparent, and based on our bylaws—it’s about honesty, not exclusion. It doesn’t block ballot access but ensures the “Republican” label means something.

The Vetting Process:

  • Confirms candidates truly reflect Republican principles like limited government, individual liberty, and election security.
  • Builds trust by protecting the Republican brand from misalignment.
  • Helps recruit quality conservatives who will advance our mission: promoting Republican values, securing fair elections, and supporting vetted candidates.

Who Needs to Vet?

County-Level Partisan Offices

(e.g., positions where the filing fee is paid to the county committee)

Candidates must successfully complete the vetting process for the committee to accept their filing fee. Passing vetting allows the candidate to file as a Republican.

State/Federal Offices

Vetting is voluntary but strongly encouraged. Candidates who do not successfully vet may not speak at OCRC events or receive official committee support.

Committee Positions

(Committeeman, Committteewoman, & Auxiliary Members)

In addition to meeting statutory eligibility requirements, successful vetting is required per committee bylaws to achieve Qualified Status and serve as a member of the Osage County Republican Central Committee.

Re-Vetting

Anyone previously vetted must successfully complete the process again this election cycle to confirm ongoing alignment with current Republican principles.

Benefits of Taking and Passing Vetting

Public recognition as a vetted conservative, access to committee resources (events, promotion, etc.), and stronger voter confidence in your commitment to Republican values and election security.

Information for Voters

If you’re a voter curious about a candidate’s status, check our Vetted Candidates List [coming soon]

Candidate Vetting Process

The Process Has Two Main Parts — Both Completed Online and Both Required

Part 1

Vetting Notification & Platform Alignment Review

Submit your intent to vet using OCRC’s online form. Provide basic contact and candidacy details, and allow the Committee to review your public record for alignment with Republican principles. This step notifies OCRC of your intent and enables our Platform Alignment Review.

Combined with REPACCMO’s results (Part 2), OCRC makes the final determination of pass or fail for the full vetting process — both parts are required per OCRC bylaws.

Part 2

REPACCMO Candidate Questionnaire & Pledge

Complete REPACCMO’s standardized online questionnaire on REPACCMO.com, which assesses your positions on key issues based on the Missouri Republican Platform. REPACCMO notifies OCRC of candidates who successfully complete their process and receive approval (based on scoring thresholds, no felony convictions, and voting record review where applicable).

Important: Passing REPACCMO’s questionnaire alone does not constitute passing OCRC vetting. Both Parts 1 and 2, plus OCRC’s final review, are required for OCRC approval and endorsement.

Critical Deadlines for 2026

Submit Parts 1 & 2 by March 29, 2026, 5:00 p.m.

This deadline is to allow time for OCRC’s review and processing before the official filing deadline.

Vetting opens: January 13, 2026 

PART 1 FORM SUBMISSION DEADLINE: March 29, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. — The form will lock/offline after this time. Submit early to avoid issues!

Part 2 (REPACCMO Questionnaire): Access now at REPACCMO.COM/Vetting — Complete by March 29, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to sync with OCRC review.

Official State Filing Period (per Missouri Secretary of State): February 24, 2026 (8:00 a.m.) – March 31, 2026 (5:00 p.m.).

The 48-hour buffer before March 31 allows time for review, notifications, payments, receipts, and any appeals.

Vetting is required for county-level partisan offices (to receive a filing fee receipt) and committee positions (to achieve Qualified Status and serve as a committee member). It is voluntary but strongly encouraged for state/federal offices.

For more details on each part, review OCRC’s letter to candidates.

Filing Fees & Receipts

Candidates for county-level partisan offices must pay a filing fee (typically $100) to the Osage County Republican Committee before their declaration is accepted. Passing vetting is required to receive a receipt.

Payment Methods

Credit/debit card (via Square – immediate receipt), check, or money order (mailed to our PO Box – held until vetting passes). No cash accepted.

No In-Person Payments

We do not meet candidates (or the clerk) for payments or accept drop-offs. Payments must use one of our payment methods.

If Delivered to the Clerk

The candidate is responsible for ensuring the clerk forwards payment promptly to our PO Box. We are not liable for delays.

Committee Positions

No fee required. Passing vetting results in a zero-dollar receipt for Qualified Status.

Candidates are responsible for timely delivery of the receipt to the county clerk.