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Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri Senate Bill 1201 repeals prohibition on voters showing their marked ballots
Last action · January 27, 2026: Second Read and Referred S Local Government, Elections and Pensions CommitteeSponsor: Brad Hudson
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What This Bill Would Do
Senate Bill 1201 repeals the prohibition preventing a voter from allowing their cast ballot to be seen by another person with the intent of revealing how they voted or intend to vote. The measure amends section 115.637, RSMo, relating to and misdemeanors.
The change removes a longstanding misdemeanor penalty for voters who voluntarily display their marked ballots to others at polling places, altering how ballot secrecy laws are enforced for individuals.
- Senate Bill 1201 was introduced during the 2026 Second Regular Session of the 103rd Missouri General Assembly by Senator Brad Hudson. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Voters
Election authorities
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific rule does Senate Bill 1201 change?
Does the bill eliminate all election offenses?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
3 actions- Jan 27, 2026SenateFloorSecond Read and Referred S Local Government, Elections and Pensions Committee
- Jan 7, 2026SenateIntroducedS First Read
- Dec 1, 2025SenatePrefiled
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. The text on record is the 4113S.02I - Introduced version. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Identical House Bill
The official summary notes that SB 1201 is identical to HB 1986 from the 2026 legislative session.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.senate.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance40How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy45Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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