77.030. Division of city into wards--councilmen. - Missouri Statutes

Division of city into wards--councilmen.

77.030. 1. Unless it elects to be governed by subsection 2of this section, the council shall by ordinance divide the cityinto not less than four wards, and two councilmen shall beelected from each of such wards by the qualified voters thereofat the first election for councilmen in cities hereafter adoptingthe provisions of this chapter; the one receiving the highestnumber of votes in each ward shall hold his office for two years,and the one receiving the next highest number of votes shall holdhis office for one year; but thereafter each ward shall electannually one councilman, who shall hold his office for two years.

2. In lieu of electing councilmen as provided in subsection1 of this section, the council may elect to establish wards andelect councilmen as provided in this subsection. If the councilso elects, it shall, by ordinance, divide the city into not lessthan four wards, and one councilman shall be elected from each ofsuch wards by the qualified voters thereof at the first electionfor councilmen held in the city after it adopts the provisions ofthis subsection. At the first election held under thissubsection the councilmen elected from the odd-numbered wardsshall be elected for a term of one year and the councilmenelected from the even-numbered wards shall be elected for a termof two years. At each annual election held thereafter,successors for councilmen whose terms expire in such year shallbe elected for a term of two years.

(RSMo 1939 § 6881, A.L. 1985 H.B. 817)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 6735; 1919 § 8222; 1909 § 9159

Effective 4-10-85