Nominations and Elections

Section 13.1. Time of elections

A regular election for the choice of elective municipal officials shall be held biennially on the first Tuesday in April in odd-numbered years following a non-partisan primary election to be held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in February. A person shall become a candidate for such office upon filing a statement of candidacy for the city council position and upon the city clerk's determining that the person meets the qualifications for the position. A statement of candidacy shall be filed with the city clerk not more than fifty (50) days prior to the deadline for notification to the county election authority before the primary election, and not later than seven (7) days prior to such deadline. For each position of zone councilmember or mayor, in the event the mayor is to be directly elected by the popular vote of the qualified voters, the city clerk shall certify as eligible for the general election the two candidates who have received the greatest number of votes. The city clerk shall certify a number of candidates for general councilmembers equal to twice the number of positions and shall certify as eligible for the general election those candidates who have received the greatest number of votes. In the event candidates are tied then the clerk shall certify both candidates. In the event there is a number of candidates equal to or less than the number required to be certified by the city clerk for the position of zone councilmember, general councilmember, or mayor, then the City shall not be required to have a primary election for that position or positions and the city clerk shall thereafter certify the names of candidates filing as eligible for the municipal election to be held in April. The city council may establish by ordinance provisions for holding municipal elections as well as special elections consistent with the Charter and state law.

A regular election for the choice of elective municipal officials shall be held biennially on the first Tuesday in April in odd-numbered years unless otherwise provided for by law. The council may by resolution order special elections, fix the time and provide for holding the same.

Approved by vote of the people April 3, 1984.

Section 13.2. Regulations of elections

The council shall provide by ordinance all regulations which it considers needful or desirable, not inconsistent with this Charter or state laws, for the conduct of municipal elections, including notice, for
the prevention of fraud in such elections, and for the recount of ballots in case of doubt or fraud. Municipal elections shall be conducted by the city clerk unless otherwise provided by law.

Approved by vote of the people August 8, 1978.

Section 13.3. When magistrate may conduct election

If, at any time, by reason of nonacceptance, resignation, refusal to qualify, or for any other cause, there shall be no officers of the city to order and conduct an election, the senior judge of the Greene County Circuit Court having jurisdiction in the City of Springfield is empowered to order and conduct an election for city officers, declare the results thereof, and install the newly elected officials.

Approved by vote of the people August 8, 1978.

Section 13.4. Vacancies created by recall - Election

A vacancy in the office of the mayor, general councilmember or zone councilmember following the filing of a sufficient petition for recall of such office holder as provided for in Sections 14.11 and 14.13 shall be filled for the unexpired term of such officer by the qualified voters of the City at large for general councilmember and the mayor or by the qualified voters of the zone for a zone councilmember. When such vacancy occurs, the council shall immediately fix a date for holding an election to fill such vacancy. The election to fill such vacancy shall be held at the earliest possible date or on any other election date established by state law provided such date falls within thirty (30) days of the earliest possible date permitted by law. The nomination of a qualified candidate to fill such vacancy shall be by petition for the unexpired term of a specific office. The petition for a zone councilmember shall be signed by not less than one hundred registered voters who are entitled to vote for the candidate so nominated. The petition for an official elected by the entire City shall be signed by not less than two hundred registered voters of the City. The city council shall establish the form for the nominating petition, procedures pertaining to the filing and verification of the same including the date for the filing of nominating petitions, provided the city council shall allow at least thirty (30) days for such nominations. A primary election shall not be held. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes for the office shall be declared elected and inducted into office at that time.

Section 13.4.1. Nomination by petition

Nominations of candidates for all elective offices shall be by petition. Petitions for zone councilmembers shall be signed by not less than one hundred (100) registered voters who are entitled to vote for the candidate so nominated. Petitions for officials elected by the entire city shall be signed by not less than two hundred (200) registered voters of the city.

No voter shall sign more than one nominating petition for the same office, and should a voter do so, his signature shall be void except as to the petition first filed. This provision shall not be construed as preventing a voter from signing both a petition for a councilmember from his own zone and also for as many general councilmembers as are to be elected. Each signer of a petition shall designate his residence by street and number, or by other description sufficient to identify his place of residence.

The signatures on the nominating petition need not all be appended to one paper, but each separate paper shall bear the statement setting forth the election date, the office to be filled, and the name of the candidate on whose behalf the petition is being filed. In addition there shall be attached to each such paper a signed statement of the circulator thereof, stating the number of signers of such paper, that each signature appended thereto was made in his presence and is the genuine signature of the person whose name it purports to be, and that he believes each such signer to be a legal voter.

Nominating petitions shall be filed with the city clerk with the statement of candidacy, and shall be in substantially the following form:
We, the undersigned registered voters of the City of Springfield, Missouri, respectfully petition and request the name of __________________ residing at ___________________, be placed upon the ballot as a candidate for the office of ______________________ to be voted for at the election to be held on the ______ day of __________, 19___, and we, individually, signify that our names have appeared on the roll of registered voters within the last year, and that we are qualified to vote for this candidate:

Name Street and Number Date of Signing
__________________ ____________________ _____________
__________________ ____________________ _____________
STATEMENT OF CIRCULATOR

The undersigned is the circulator of the foregoing paper containing ______ signatures. Each signature appended thereto was made in my presence and is the genuine signature of the person whose name it purports to be. I am a registered voter, qualified to vote for this candidate, and I believe each signer is a registered voter qualified to vote for this candidate.

(Signature of Circulator)
(Address)

ACCEPTANCE OF NOMINATION
AND STATEMENT OF CANDIDACY

I hereby accept the nomination for the office of ____________ and file this statement of candidacy. I declare that I meet all requirements to hold said office, and that I agree to serve if elected.

(Signature of Candidate)

Date and hour of filing:

This petition is filed by _____________ whose address is _____________. Received by _____________.

(Signature of City Clerk)

Within five (5) days after the filing of a nominating petition the city clerk shall notify the candidate and the person who filed the petition whether or not it is found to be sufficient. If a petition is found insufficient, the city clerk shall return it immediately to the person who filed it with a statement certifying wherein the petition is found insufficient. Within the regular time for filing petitions a new or supplemental petition may be filed for the same candidate. The petition of each candidate nominated shall be preserved by the city clerk until the expiration of the term of office for which he has been nominated.

Approved by vote of the people April 3, 1984.