JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – When candidate filing opens next week, members of the military serving abroad will now have more ease in filing to run for public office back home.

On Wednesday, Gov. Jay Nixon signed a bill that would allow members of the military on active duty who have filed for elected office to designate a proxy to participate for them when it comes time for the random drawing that determines ballot placement.

“These men and women don’t just understand the values of service and sacrifice — they live them,” Nixon said. “These are the same leaders we want to serve our communities when they get home.”

The bill – fast tracked in order to be enacted before candidate filing begins on February 25 – also extends to those with a physical disability.

Secretary of State Jason Kander, an Afghanistan war veteran, praised the bill’s passage. The bill was a priority of his in his legislative package revealed last month.

“This legislation is a simple fix that passed just in time for candidate filing, which opens next week,” Kander said. “I’m proud to have partnered with Sen. Wallingford, Reps. Dugger and Newman to get this bill across the finish line, and I look forward to continuing to work with the legislature to ensure that those serving our country are afforded equal opportunities in the election process.”