Title
An Ordinance amending Chapter 12, Elections, Article I. In General, Section 12-2. Filing Dates of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri to comply with changes in State law.
(Note: First read by Council on September 7, 2021. Passed by unanimous vote.)
Body
Issue/Request:
Section 115.127, RSMo. sets the filing periods for candidates in local elections. The Missouri General Assembly passed and Governor Parsons signed HB 271 this past legislative session, which changed the filing dates in Section 115.127. HB 271 took effect August 28, 2021.
Prior to HB 271, the period for filing a declaration of candidacy opened at 8:00 a.m. on the 16th Tuesday prior to the election and closed at 5:00 p.m. on the 11th Tuesday prior to the election.
HB 271 changes the opening filing date for declarations of candidacy to the 17th Tuesday prior to the election and the closing filing date to the 14th Tuesday prior to the election. The times associated with those dates remain the same. HB 271 also changed the date by which the City needs to notify the public of the filing dates and other certain candidate filing information from the 16th Tuesday to the 17th Tuesday prior to the election.
The Section 12-2 “Filing Dates” of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri needs updates to reflect the changes in state law.
Key Issues:
New Filing Period for Municipal Office:
HB 271 changes the opening and closing dates for filing for municipal office. For the April 5, 2022, election, the opening filing date for candidate will be at 8:00 a.m. on December 7, 2021, and close at 5:00 p.m. December 28, 2021.
Proposed City Council Motion:
I move for adoption of an Ordinance amending Chapter 12, Elections, Article I. In General, Section 12-2. Filing Dates of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri to comply with changes in State law.
Presenter
Trisha Fowler Arcuri, City Clerk