MO HB573

Cities with voter-approved four-year council terms may adopt ordinances to stagger elections, with half the council elected every other year

Transition to staggered terms allows some council members to serve initial three-year terms to offset election cycles

Fourth-class cities in most counties may opt by ordinance to hold primary elections under standard state election procedures (sections 115.305-115.405) or alternative provisions (sections 78.470, 78.480, 78.510)

Fourth-class cities in first-class charter counties adjoining independent cities are excluded from the primary election option

Applies to both city councils (Section 77.030) and boards of aldermen (Section 79.050) with parallel provisions for each governance structure