Mo. House endorses June primary elections

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri House gave initial approval to legislation that would move the state's primary elections to June.

Party primaries for Congress, the state Legislature and statewide offices are held in even-numbered years on the Tuesday after the first Monday in August. But the bill endorsed Wednesday would move the primaries to the first Tuesday after the third Monday in June.

Supporters say the earlier primaries would give the winners more time to compete for November's general election. But opponents argue it could also cause lawmakers to campaign more aggressively during the legislative session, which runs through mid-May.

The measure needs one more vote before moving to the Senate.