EXECUTIVE ORDER
20-03

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, a state of emergency was declared, pursuant to Sections 44.100 and 44.110, RSMo, in an effort to ensure the protection of the safety and welfare of the citizens of Missouri from the Coronavirus and COVID-19;

WHEREAS, the emergency conditions and state of emergency continue to exist;

WHEREAS, the emergency conditions and state of emergency interfere with the electoral process in that a General Municipal Election is scheduled for April 7, 2020 in every election authority in the state (the counties, the City of Kansas City and the City of St. Louis);

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends cancellation or suspension of gatherings and limiting close contacts via social distancing to limit the spread of the Coronavirus;

WHEREAS, Section 44.100, RSMo, provides that during a state of emergency, the Governor is authorized to “waive or suspend the operation of any statutory requirement or administrative rule prescribing procedures for conducting state business, where strict compliance with such requirements and rules would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action by the department of health and senior services to respond to a declared emergency or increased health threat to the population”; and

WHEREAS Section 44.100, RSMo, provides that during a state of emergency, the Governor is authorized to “perform and exercise such other functions, powers and duties as may be necessary to promote and secure the safety and protection of the civilian population”;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MICHAEL L. PARSON, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the Laws of the State of Missouri, including Section 44.100 and 44.110, RSMo, do hereby order, effective immediately:

  1. The General Municipal Election scheduled for April 7, 2020, is hereby postponed to June 2, 2020, in all of the State.
  2. The following dates apply to the June 2, 2020, General Municipal Election:
    1. Each election authority shall cause to be published a notice of the June 2, 2020, election as required in Section 115.127.2, RSMo, and shall include a reference to this Executive Order;
    2. The closing date for registration pursuant to Section 115.135.1 RSMo, shall remain March 11, 2020;
    3. The minimum age requirement for voting as set forth in Mo. Const. Art. VIII, section 2, shall continue to be ascertained as of April 7, 2020;
    4. The deadline for filing a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate pursuant to Section 115.453(4) shall remain at 5:00 p.m. on March 27, 2020.
    5. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot under Section 115.279, RSMo, shall be May 20, 2020;
    6. The ballots already printed and bearing a date of April 7, 2020, shall be used for the election on June 2, 2020;
    7. A public test of the voting equipment under Section 115.233, RSMo, shall be completed no later than June 1, 2020;
    8. In-person absentee voting shall continue until 5:00 p.m. on June 1, 2020;
    9. The deadline by which absentee ballots must be received by the election authority under Section 115.293.1, RSMo, shall be 7:00 p.m. on June 2, 2020; and
    10. For covered voters as defined in Section 115.902(1), RSMo:
      1. The deadline for a covered voter to request a ballot from an election authority shall be 5:00 p.m. on May 29, 2020 (§ 115.912, RSMo);
      2. The deadline for an election authority to begin making ballots available to covered voters shall be April 18, 2020 (§ 115.914, RSMo); and
      3. The deadline by which absentee ballots from covered voters must be received by an election authority shall before noon on June 5, 2020 (§ 115.920, RSMo).
    11. The election results shall be certified by an election authority no sooner than noon on June 5, 2020 (§ 115.508) and no later than June 16, 2020 (§ 115.507, RSMo).
  3. In addition to the legally required notice in II.A, above, each election authority, within its capabilities, shall endeavor to provide notice to the public by: (1) posting information on its website; (2) issuing press releases; (3) making public appearances; (4) directly contacting stakeholders, such as the candidates for election and the jurisdictions which have placed issues and candidates on the General Municipal Election ballot; and (5) using social media platforms to notify voters.
  4. The candidates for offices for which no election is scheduled for April 7, 2020, due to the exemption in Section 115.124, RSMo, shall assume the responsibilities of their offices at the same time and in the same manner as if the election had been held on April 7, 2020.
  5. As provided in Article VII, Section 12 of the Missouri Constitution, “Except as provided in this constitution, and subject to the right of resignation, all officers shall continue to hold office for the term thereof, and until their successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified.”
  6. Nothing within this order shall be construed to effect any other election in the State of Missouri other than the General Municipal Election scheduled for April 7, 2020.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 18th day of March, 2020.

[Michael L. Parson's signature]
MICHAEL L. PARSON
GOVERNOR

ATTEST:

[Jay Ashcroft's signature]
JOHN R. ASHCROFT
SECRETARY OF STATE

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