Legislation to move up the deadline for judges to rule on court challenges to ballot measures has been signed by Gov. Jay Nixon.
The Democratic governor signed the bill Tuesday, the deadline for him to take action on legislation.
The bill will require legal challenges to ballot measures to be resolved eight weeks before an election, instead of the current six weeks.
A late court-ordered change to an early voting measure last year cost the state nearly $680,000 to reimburse counties for costs to reprint ballots.
Supporters had argued the measure will prevent similar expenses. Primarily Democratic opponents have said it will limit judicial review of potentially misleading ballot language.
The bill is set to take effect Aug. 28.