Kimmswick voters will be asked April 5 to approve a measure that would allow the town to not hold an election if there are no contested races for elected offices or if there are no propositions on a particular ballot.
The measure requires a simple majority for approval.
If approved, it must be renewed by voters in six years if the city wants to continue not holding elections when there are no contested races.
Missouri State Statute covering the matter, 115.124.1, states that entities with populations of 2,000 or fewer people may ask their voters to not hold elections “notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, in a nonpartisan election any political subdivision or special district.”
Kimmswick Mayor Phil Stang said not needing to place anything on the ballot means economic savings.
“It helps the city to not have an election if we don’t have to,” Stang said. “It’s saving time, saving money. This is strictly an issue of economics.”
Stang said Kimmswick officials publicize its elections and seek qualified candidates to fill open seats, but often times there are no contested races, but an election must still be held.
“We go out of our way to publicize elections months before to make sure people are aware they can enter.”
Kimmswick’s Proposition E says, “Shall the city of Kimmswick, Missouri, adopt the provisions of Section 115.124.1 RSMo, which provides that in the event that the number of candidates who have filed for a particular office is equal to the number of positions in that office to be filled by the election, then no election for such office will be held and the candidates shall assume the responsibilities of their offices at the same time and in the same manner as if they had been elected, provided that in such cases the city shall have provided the notice of election required by Section 5 of section 115.127 RSMo, and that said notice has been published in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the city as defined in section 493.050 RSMo.”
City Clerk Tammy Benack said by not holding an election, Kimmswick could save approximately $300 a year.
“This year, we have one candidate for each spot, but we have to pay for an election because of Proposition E,” Benack said.
She said Kimmswick voters approved the same measure in April 2016, and it is time to put it before voters again in the April 2022 election.
Kimmswick has a population of about 175 people, she said.