Municipal Filing Deadline Extended One Day In Crawford County

Judge Megan Seay issued a ruling Dec. 5 that extends the filing deadline for the 2024 municipal elections by one day.

The deadline to get on the ballot in Crawford County for next April’s election is now Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 5 p.m.

All 28 entities in Crawford County that could potentially have elections in April must comply with the order, which was brought to court by Clerk John Martin.

Martin appeared before Seay as the petitioner along with Crawford County Prosecuting Attorney David Smith, Iron County C-4 counsel Natalie Hoernschemeyer and Bourbon Fire Department counsel Stephen Paulus.

The court took up arguments by Martin with a consent to judgement by Bourbon Fire and an objection from Hoerschemeyer on behalf of Iron County C-4. 

Seay found that extending the deadline due to the interceding Christmas holiday “is a reasonable request” that “serves the best interest of the public” by allowing better access to potential candidates.

Filing opened for office that day.

In the city of Bourbon, there are three seats that have expiring terms. Mayor Dave Lafferty, Ward 1 Alderman John Nelson and Ward 2 Alderwoman Sonya Sewald are up for reelection.

To file, candidates must go to Bourbon City Hall at 423 Old Highway 66. Candidates must be 18 or older, a citizen of the United States, an inhabitant and resident of the city for one year next preceding the election and a resident at the time filed. Candidates must also reside in the ward they seek to represent.

Candidates must file Form 5120, a Candidate’s Affidavit of Tax Payments and Bonding Requirements, declaring no delinquency in the filing or payment of any state income taxes, personal property taxes, municipal taxes, real property taxes on the place of residence as stated on the declaration of candidacy.

Each candidate must sign a candidate acknowledgement and a summary of the Conflict of Interest and Campaign Finance Laws and Personal Financial Disclosure statements that explain the consequences for failure to file in a timely manner, over which the Missouri Ethics Commission has enforcement powers pursuant to the revised statutes of Missouri.

For the Crawford County R-1 school Board, candidates must be:

• A U.S. citizen.
• A resident taxpayer of a district or voters of the district in urban districts.
• A resident of Missouri for at least one year.
• At least 24 years old.

Candidates must also be current on state and local taxes; have not been found guilty of or pled guilty to a felony under Missouri or federal law; are not registered or required to register as a sex offender; and have filed required campaign documents for all previous campaigns, if any.