Supreme Court of Missouri
en banc
February 25, 2009
In re:
Repeal of subdivision 10.09, entitled "Elections - Duties of Clerk," and subdivision 10.12, entitled "Ballots to Members of Bar," of Rule 10, entitled "Non-Partisan Judicial Commissions and Judicial Evaluations," and in lieu thereof adoption of a new subdivision 10.09, entitled "Elections - Duties of Clerk," and a new subdivision 10.12, entitled "Ballots to Members of Bar."
ORDER
1. It is ordered that subdivision 10.09 and subdivision 10.12 of Rule 10 be and the same are hereby repealed and a new subdivision 10.09 and a new subdivision 10.12 adopted in lieu thereof to read as follows:
10.09 ELECTIONS - DUTIES OF CLERK
The clerk conducting an election shall prepare, print, and distribute the envelopes, ballots, signature cards, and biographical sketches of each candidate. A candidate's biographical sketch shall not exceed 300 words.
The ballots shall be numbered consecutively. A signature card bearing the same number shall accompany each ballot.
The ballots shall designate each office and term to be filled. The ballot shall contain the names and residence addresses of all qualified persons who have been nominated for such office and term who have not, before the printing of the ballots, given written notice to the clerk of their withdrawal as nominees. The ballot shall also provide one blank line for each such office and term on which the voter may write the name of any qualified person for whom the voter desires to vote. A box or square shall be printed alongside each name and each such blank line for the use of the voter in indicating the voter's choice.
The signature cards shall contain a printed certification to the effect that the voter is a member of the bar of this state in good standing who resides in the court of appeals district or circuit, as the case may be, in which the election is being held. The signature cards also shall contain blanks for the voter's signature and residence address.
10.12 BALLOTS TO MEMBERS OF BAR
Not less than 20 nor more than thirty 30 days before the election, the clerk conducting the election shall mail the biographical sketch of each candidate, one ballot, an envelope for the ballot, a signature card, bearing the same number as the ballot, and a return envelope in which the voter can place both the signature card and the sealed envelope containing the ballot to each member of The Missouri Bar in good standing residing in the circuit or court of appeals district, as the case may be. If the election is of a member of the Appellate Judicial Commission, the clerk of the court of appeals conducting the election shall also send a reasonable number of envelopes, biographical sketches, ballots, and corresponding signature cards to each circuit clerk in such court of appeals district. The circuit clerk shall furnish these materials to any members of The Missouri Bar who may request them.
3. It is further ordered that this order be published in the South Western Reporter.
Day – to – Day
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LAURA DENVIR STITH
Chief Justice