Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership October 2003

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Mastering the Nuts and Boltsof County Council Elections

County Extension CouncilTraining Module

Missouri Council Leadership Development — a partnership of the Missouri Extension County Council Leadership Council and University of Missouri Extension October 2003© 2003, University of Missouri Board of Curators

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership October 2003

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Objectives

• Comply with state statutes

• Suggest election strategies

• Publicize election

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership October 2003

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State Statutes — Elections

Annual election – January– By district

– Open to all citizens

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership October 2003

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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

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State Statutes — Districts

• Establish districts

• Filed with county commission

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership October 2003

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State Statutes — Public Notice

• Public notice of nominees

• 30 to 50 days before election

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 orientation, religion, age, disability or status as a Vietnam-era veteran in employment or programs. 7

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership October 2003

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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

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Preparations

Early Fall

– Review election process

– Set date, deadlines

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership October 2003

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Preparations

November/December

– Select nominees

– Publish paid notice

– Publicize elections

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership October 2003

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Elections

• Open to all citizens

• Ballots:

– Walk-in

– Newspapers

– Mail

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership October 2003

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Participation

• News releases

• Person-to-person contact

• Bulletin boards

• Websites

• E-mail

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership October 2003

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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

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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

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After the Election

• Welcome new members

• Provide orientation

Missouri Council Leadership Development: 21st Century Programs, Governance and Membership October 2003

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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/

Mastering the Nuts and Boltsof Council Elections

County Extension Council Training Module