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Elected Officials Qualifications (2012)

U. S. Senator – Art. I § 3 U. S. Constitution

  • At least 30 years of age
  • Citizen of United States for 9 years
  • Resident of Missouri

U. S. Representative – Art. I, § 2 U. S. Constitution

  • At least 25 years of age
  • Citizen of United States for 7 years
  • Resident of Missouri

General qualifications applicable to all the following state and county offices* –
§ 115.342

  • Is not delinquent in the payment of any state income taxes, personal property taxes, real property taxes on the place of residence as stated in the declaration of candidacy
  • is not a past or present corporate officer of any fee office that owes any taxes to the state.

§ 115.348

  • Has not been found guilty of or pled guilty to a felony or misdemeanor under the federal laws of the United States of America.

§ 115.350

  • Has not been convicted of or found guilty of or pled guilty to a felony under the laws of Missouri.

§ 130.071.2

  • In addition to any other penalties provided by law, no person may file for any office in a subsequent election until he or the treasurer of his existing candidate committee has filed all required campaign disclosure reports for all prior elections and has paid all fees assessed by the Commission.

*  On July 19, 2007, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that sections 115.342 and 115.350 were constitutional and enforceable.

Governor – Art. IV, § 3 and Art. VII, § 8 Constitution of Missouri

  • At least 30 years of age
  • Citizen of United States for 15 years
  • Resident of Missouri for 10 years before election

Lieutenant Governor – Art. IV, § 10 and Art. VII, § 8 Constitution of Missouri

  • At least 30 years of age
  • Citizen of United States for 15 years
  • Resident of Missouri for 10 years before election

Secretary of State – Art. VII, § 8 Constitution of Missouri

  • Citizen of the United States
  • Resident of Missouri for 1 year before election

Attorney General – Art. VII, § 8 Constitution of Missouri; Chapters  27 and 484, RSMo

  • Citizen of the United States
  • Resident of Missouri for 1 year before election
  • Licensed to Practice Law

Treasurer – Art. VII, § 8 Constitution of Missouri

  • Citizen of the United States
  • Resident of Missouri for 1 year before election

 State Senator – Art. III § 6 Constitution of Missouri & § 21.070, RSMo

  • At least 30 years of age
  • Qualified Missouri voter for 3 years before election
  • Resident of the district which he is chosen to represent for 1 year before election, if such district shall have been so long established, and if not, then of the district or districts from which the same shall have been taken.

State Representative – Art. III § 4 Constitution of Missouri & § 21.080, RSMo

  • At least 24 years of age
  • Qualified Missouri voter for 2 years before election,
  • Resident of the district which he is chosen to represent for 1 year before election, if such county or district shall have been so long established, and if not, then of the county or district from which the same shall have been taken.

 Supreme Court Judge – Art. V § 21 Constitution of Missouri

  • At least 30 years of age
  • Citizen of the United States for at least 15 years
  • Qualified Missouri voter for at least nine years before election
  • Licensed to practice law in Missouri

Appellate Court Judge – Art. V § 21 Constitution of Missouri

  • At least 30 years of age
  • Citizen of the United States for at least 15 years
  • Qualified Missouri voter for at least nine years before election
  • Licensed to practice law in Missouri
  • Resident of the court of appeals district for which they serve

  Circuit Court Judge – Art. V, § 21 Constitution of Missouri

  • At least 30 years of age
  • Citizen of the United States for at least 10 years
  • Qualified Missouri voter for at least 3 years before election
  • Resident of circuit for at least 1 year
  • Licensed to practice law in Missouri

Associate Circuit Judge – Art. V, § 21 Constitution of Missouri

  • At least 25 years of age
  • Qualified Missouri voter
  • Resident of county
  • Licensed to practice law in Missouri

General qualifications applicable to all the following county offices – Art. VII, § 8 Constitution of Missouri; § 115.349.3 RSMo

  • Citizen of the United States
  • Resident of the state 1 year next preceding election
  • Registered voters

County Commissioner – 49.020, RSMo

  • Resident of the county and district

Sheriff – 57.010, RSMo

  • Resident of county for more than 1 year before filing
  • Resident taxpayer and elector of county
  • No felony convictions
  • Capable of efficient law enforcement

Assessor – Art. VI, §18(b) Constitution of Missouri; § 53.010, RSMo

  • Resident of county

County Treasurer – 54.010, 54.040, RSMo

  • 1st and 2nd class and township counties only
  • Must be at least 21 years of age
  • Resident of the state and county 1 year next preceding election
  • Must be a registered voter
  • Must be current in payment of personal and real estate taxes

Public Administrator – 473.730, RSMo

  • At least 21 years of age
  • Resident of the state of Missouri and the county 1 year prior to general election
  • Registered voter
  • Current in the payment of all personal and business taxes

Coroner 58.030, RSMo

  • Over 21 years of age
  • Citizen of the United States
  • Resident of county 6 months next preceding the election
  • Resident of state 1 year prior to election

Surveyor 60.010, RSMo

  • Registered land surveyor

Township or Ward Committeemen and Committeewomen** – 115.607-115.613, RSMo

  • Resident of county and committee district 1 year next preceding the election
  • Registered voter in county and district for 1 year next preceding the election

**Sections 115.342, 115.348 and 115.350 do not apply to candidates for county committee persons.  See Section 115.305, RSMo.

Offices vacated due to death, resignations or any other or any cause and which, under law are required to be filled at the 2012 general election