Updated 12:19 p.m.

A Missouri senator has introduced legislation that would push back the state's time period for candidates to file for public office.

The legislation introduced Wednesday would push the filing period back to begin on March 27. The filing period was originally scheduled to begin Feb. 28. The change will affect races for seats in the state legislature and the U.S. House.

Sen. Mike Parson, a Bolivar Republican, said the change was necessary because state lawmakers might not have enough time to file for their candidacies.

A state commission is set to discuss the boundaries of state Senate districts on Feb. 18, meaning it would not have enough time to finalize a district map by the end of the month.

House districts are still being challenged in the state's courts.

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