Mastering the Nuts and Bolts
of County Council Elections
County Extension Council
Training Module
Missouri Council Leadership Development — a partnership of the Missouri Extension County Council
LeadershipDevelopment:
Council and University
of Missouri
Extension Governance and October
2003
Missouri Council Leadership
21st Century
Programs,
Membership
© 2003, University of Missouri Board of Curators
October 2003
1
Objectives
•
Comply with state statutes
•
Suggest election strategies
•
Publicize election
Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership
October 2003
2
State Statutes — Elections
Annual election – January
– By
district
– Open
to all citizens
Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership
October 2003
3
State Statutes — Membership
•
One member per district
•
County commission
•
Farm organizations
•
Jurisdiction of 10,000 plus or as
designated by council
Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership
October 2003
4
State Statutes — Districts
•
Establish districts
•
Filed with county commission
Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership
October 2003
5
State Statutes — Public Notice
•
Public notice of nominees
•
30 to 50 days before election
Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership
October 2003
6
Nominees Selected
for
University of Missouri Extension Council Members
___________________________County
Citizens of voting age in
County, pursuant to the provisions of Section 262-577, RSMo.,
1969, will have an opportunity to vote and elect members to the University of Missouri Extension Council of
_______________ County in January.
The Extension council -- comprised of elected and appointed members -- is the official body within the county
to cooperate with the University in carrying out the provisions of the Smith-Lever Act of Congress and
amendments and acts supplementary thereto and any other acts effecting extension programs. Two people have
been nominated for each of the elective positions in their respective districts. The nominees and their districts
are as follows:
(Here, list the names of the nominees, the length of term to serve, the name and number of the
district in which they live.)
Additional nominations may be made by petition of 25 or more qualified voters residing within the district,
filed with the council within 20 days after the publication of this notice of election. Forms for nominations are
available in your county extension office located at:
(Office address
phone number)
_____________________________________
Chair,
University of Missouri Extension Council
of ____________________ County
University of Missouri Extension does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex sexual
7
orientation, religion, age, disability or status as a Vietnam-era veteran in employment or programs.
State Statutes — Public Notice
•
Paid notice
•
At least once
•
Newspaper w/general circulation
Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership
October 2003
8
Preparations
Early Fall
– Review
– Set
election process
date, deadlines
Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership
October 2003
9
Preparations
November/December
– Select
nominees
– Publish
paid notice
– Publicize
elections
Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership
October 2003
10
Elections
•
Open to all citizens
•
Ballots:
– Walk-in
– Newspapers
– Mail
Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership
October 2003
11
Participation
•
News releases
•
Person-to-person contact
•
Bulletin boards
•
Websites
•
E-mail
Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership
October 2003
12
Election Integrity
1.
Official ballot boxes
2.
Clear instructions
3.
Official observer
4.
Ensure one vote per person
5.
Certify results
Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership
October 2003
13
After the Election
New council takes office March 1
–
Elect officers at annual meeting
–
Provide list of members, officers to
University and County Commission
–
Officers take oath of office
Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership
October 2003
14
After the Election
•
Welcome new members
•
Provide orientation
Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership
October 2003
15
Mastering the Nuts and Bolts
of Council Elections
County Extension Council Training Module
Produced by the Council Leadership Development Committee 
a partnership of the Missouri Extension County Council Leadership
Council and University of Missouri Extension
http://extension.missouri.edu/extcouncil/training/
Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership
October 2003
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