MISSOURI BILL WOULD SET DEADLINE TO FINISH BALLOTS

A Missouri lawmaker wants to set deadlines for altering ballot measures in an effort to save the state money on reprinting costs.

Republican State Republican Will Kraus of Lee's Summit this week filed legislation to block changes to a ballot initiative or referendum eight weeks before an election, about two weeks earlier than the current general standard.

The bill follows thousands of dollars in reprinting expenses to local counties after a judge in September ruled to change wording for an early voting proposal.

A Secretary of State spokeswoman says early estimates put the cost statewide at about $705,000.

The state will reimburse counties for the cost.

Some county clerks say late changes also make it difficult to get ballots to military and overseas voters in time.