Title IX — SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS

115.003. Purpose clause. — The purpose of this chapter is to simplify, clarify and harmonize the laws governing elections. It shall be construed and applied so as to accomplish its purpose. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 1.005, A.L. 2013 S.B. 99, A.L. 2018 S.B. 592 merged with S.…

115.004. Election laws, restriction on amendment of, when. — The sections of this chapter and all related rules and regulations shall not be amended or modified in any manner in the twenty-six weeks preceding any presidential election. ­­-------- (L. 2022 H.B. 1878)

115.005. Scope of act. — Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to all public elections in the state, except elections for which ownership of real property is required by law for voting. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 …

[Repealed or reserved.]

115.012. Rules, promulgation, procedure. — No rule or portion of a rule promulgated under the authority of this chapter shall become effective unless it has been promulgated pursuant to the provisions of section 536.024. ­­-------- (L. 1994 H.B. 1411 § 1, A.L. 1995 S.B. 3)

115.013. Definitions. — As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly implies otherwise, the following terms mean: (1) "Air-gap" or "air-gapped", a security measure in which equipment is physically and technically isolated from any network and is not directly connected to t…

115.015. Election authority established and defined. — The county clerk shall be the election authority, except that in a city or county having a board of election commissioners, the board of election commissioners shall be the election authority. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 2…

115.017. Election commissioners, where. — There shall be a board of election commissioners: (1) In each county which has or hereafter has over nine hundred thousand inhabitants; (2) In each city not situated in a county; (3) In each city which has over three hundred thousand inha…

115.019. Voters may petition to establish a board of election commissioners, procedure — form of petition. — 1. Any group of registered voters from any county of the first classification not having a board of election commissioners may circulate a petition for the formation of a …

115.021. Jurisdiction of election boards. — 1. In each city which has over three hundred thousand inhabitants on January 1, 1978, and is situated in more than one county, the board of election commissioners for the city shall have jurisdiction in that part of the city situated in…

115.022. Private moneys, expenditure of, prohibited — in-kind donations permitted — private moneys distributed, when. — 1. Except as provided in subsection 5 of this section, neither the state of Missouri nor any political subdivision thereof that conducts elections shall receive…

115.023. Election authority to conduct all elections — which authority, how determined. — 1. Except as provided in subsections 2 and 3 of this section, each election authority shall conduct all public elections within its jurisdiction. 2. When an election is to be conducted for a…

115.024. Elections rescheduled or relocated due to disaster, definition — election panel established — petition to reschedule or relocate, contents — order — notice, contents — ballots — procedures — appeal. — 1. As used in this section, "disaster" means any catastrophic or natur…

115.027. Election commissioners, how appointed. — 1. Each board of election commissioners shall be composed of four members, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Two commissioners on each board shall be members of one major political party, and two…

115.029. Election commissioners, when appointed, term of office. — 1. In each county of the first class containing the major portion of a city which has more than three hundred thousand inhabitants, each election commissioner shall be appointed on April 21, 1982, for a term of fo…

115.031. Election commissioner, qualifications of. — Each election commissioner shall be a registered voter and a resident of the jurisdiction for which he is appointed for at least one year preceding his appointment. During his term of office, no commissioner shall hold any stat…

115.033. Oath of office, bond, election commissioners. — Before entering upon his duties, each commissioner shall take and subscribe an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and of this state and to demean himself faithfully and impartially in office. Before enter…

115.035. Compensation of election commissioners. — 1. In each county which has over nine hundred thousand inhabitants, each election commissioner shall receive a salary of seven thousand two hundred dollars per year, payable from the county revenue. 2. In each city not situated i…

115.037. Removal of commissioner, when. — Any commissioner may be removed by the governor for misconduct in office. Before removing a commissioner, the governor shall notify the commissioner in writing of all charges against him. Not less than ten days after so notifying a commis…

115.039. New board to receive records and property. — Upon the swearing in of a new board of election commissioners, the election authority or other custodian shall, upon demand, turn over to the new board all records, supplies and property relating in any way to the registration…

115.041. Commissioners in office to complete term. — Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed in any way as interfering with or discontinuing the term of office of any person now serving as an election commissioner until the term for which he was appointed has expired, or un…

115.043. Rules and regulations, powers of election authorities. — Each election authority may make all rules and regulations, not inconsistent with statutory provisions, necessary for the registration of voters and the conduct of elections. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 2.065, A…

115.045. Boards may employ staff. — Each election authority shall have the authority to employ such attorneys and other employees as may be necessary to promptly and correctly perform the duties of the election authority. Where an electronic voting system or voting machines are u…

115.047. Employees of board to be bipartisan. — Employees of each board shall be selected in equal numbers from the two major political parties. Each board shall adopt regulations to govern the hiring, probationary period, tenure, discipline, discharge and retirement of its emplo…

115.049. Number of employees and salaries authorized — salary adjustments, when. — 1. Each board of election commissioners in existence on January 1, 1978, shall set the salaries of its employees. Except as provided in subsection 3 of this section, the number of employees of each…

115.051. County clerk may employ election staff and fix compensation. — 1. In each county which does not have a board of election commissioners, the county clerk shall have the right to employ such deputies and assistants as are necessary to promptly and correctly register voters…

115.053. Election authority deputies — bipartisan requirement — duties, compensation. — 1. Each election authority may appoint such even number of additional deputies as it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of subsection 3 of this section. One-half of the deputies shall…

115.055. Who may administer oaths. — Each election authority and its designated employees may administer oaths and perform all other duties necessary to register voters and conduct elections. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 2.095) Effective 1-01-78

115.057. Offices may be maintained, to be open, when. — Each election authority shall maintain an office or offices sufficient for its purposes. The offices of each election authority shall be kept open during regular business hours on all election days and on all other weekdays,…

115.059. Peace officers to assist election authority or election officials, when requested. — It shall be the duty of the police, the sheriff and all other peace officers to give any assistance or protection required by the election authority, any employee of the election authori…

115.063. Political subdivision or special district, cost of elections — state to share proportionately, when. — 1. When any question or candidate is submitted to a vote by any political subdivision or special district and no other question or candidate is submitted at the same el…

115.065. Proportion of cost for two or more political subdivisions or special districts, how computed — exceptions — definitions — election services fund, when used. — 1. Except as provided in sections 115.069, 115.071, 115.073 and 115.077, when any question or candidate is submi…

115.069. Election judges paid by whom (Jackson County). — In any county of the first class containing the major portion of a city which has over three hundred thousand inhabitants, the salaries of election judges at all county and state primary, general and special elections shal…

115.071. Election costs, how paid (Kansas City). — 1. In any city which has over three hundred thousand inhabitants and is located in more than one county, all general expenses related to the conduct of elections and the registration of voters in the part of the city situated in …

115.073. Election costs, how paid (Clay, Platte and Jackson counties). — 1. In any county containing a portion but not the major portion of a city which has over three hundred thousand inhabitants, all general expenses related to the conduct of elections and the registration of v…

115.074. Voting process and equipment, grants to upgrade or improve, award procedure — rulemaking authority. — 1. Subject to appropriation from federal funds, the secretary of state shall administer a grant, loan, or other aid program for the purposes of providing funds to electi…

115.075. County's election expenses to be paid from county general revenue, exception. — Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, all costs and expenses relating to the conduct of elections and the registration of voters in each county shall be paid from the general reven…

115.076. Administration of grant, loan, or other aid program — rulemaking authority. — 1. Subject to appropriation of federal funds, the secretary of state shall administer a grant, loan, or other aid program for the purpose of providing funds to election authorities: (1) To purc…

115.077. Election costs to be paid to election authority, by whom, when, procedure — failure to pay costs, penalty — state payments, fund for, transfers from general revenue — rental or lease of voting machines. — 1. Special districts, cities, townships in township organization c…

115.078. Election administration improvements fund created, use of moneys — elections improvements revolving loan fund created, use of moneys. — 1. There is hereby created in the state treasury the "Election Administration Improvements Fund", which shall consist of appropriations…

115.079. Election judges, how appointed. — All election judges in each jurisdiction shall be appointed by the election authority. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 3.001) Effective 1-01-78

115.081. Number of judges to be appointed, supervisory judges, duties of. — 1. Each election authority shall appoint election judges for each polling place within its jurisdiction in accordance with the provisions of this section. 2. In all primary and general elections, the elec…

115.085. Qualifications of election judges. — 1. For purposes of this section, the following terms mean: (1) "Military", the Armed Forces of the United States, including the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force, National Guard, and any other military bran…

115.087. Selection of judges in counties not having a board of election commissioners. — 1. In each county which does not have a board of election commissioners, the election judges shall be selected from lists provided by the county committee of each major political party or as …

115.089. Terms of election judges appointed by board. — Each board of election commissioners shall have authority to appoint election judges for individual elections, or for a term coincident with the term of the board and until the judges' successors are appointed and qualified.…

115.091. Oath of election judge. — On commissioning or before entering upon his duties, each election judge shall take and subscribe the following oath: ­ ­ ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 3.030) Effective 1-01-78

115.093. Vacancy, how filled. — If an election judge dies, resigns, becomes incapacitated, becomes disqualified, is removed pursuant to section 115.099, or is otherwise unable or unwilling to serve during his term, the election authority shall appoint another qualified person fro…

115.095. Judge failing to appear, temporary judge to be appointed, how. — If any judge fails to act or to appear by the time fixed by law for the opening of the polls, the election authority shall be notified immediately by an election judge. The election authority or the electio…

115.097. Judge not to be absent from polls more than one hour — not more than one judge from the same party to be absent at the same time. — No election judge shall be absent from the polls for more than one hour during the hours the polls are open on election day. No election ju…

115.098. Election judges, grant, loan, or other aid program to increase compensation, requirements — rulemaking authority. — 1. Subject to appropriation from federal funds, the secretary of state shall administer a grant, loan, or other aid program for the purpose of increasing t…