The filing period for candidates interested in running for municipal and school board seats opens at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, December 5, and closes on Tuesday, December 26, at 5 p.m. The election will be held on Tuesday, April 2.

Howard County Clerk Shelly Howell reminds candidates that they must file with the body to which they seek election. For instance, city council candidates must file with their city clerks. School board candidates must file with their school offices. The county clerk’s office will not accept any filings.

Voters in Fayette, Armstrong, and Higbee will cast ballots for mayor as well as city council candidates. Fayette Mayor Jeremy Dawson said he will not seek re-election as the job takes away too much family time. A former multi-term alderman, Dawson said he would consider a seat on the city council in the future. The term for Mayor in Fayette lasts for two years.

Fayette has three city council seats up for election. Northwest Ward Alderwoman Michelle Ishmael told this newspaper she intends to seek a second term. East Ward Alderwoman Ronda Gerlt, who was appointed on July 11, said she will run to keep the seat. Southwest Ward Alderwoman Bekki Galloway said she will probably file for re-election. City council terms are for two years.

The Fayette Board of Education will have two seats up for grabs. Incumbent John Stroupe indicated he will not seek a third term, but has not stated that specifically to this newspaper. Board vice president Matt Hudson said he has not decided whether he will seek a third term.

School board terms are for three years.

Three New Franklin Board of Aldermen seats will appear on the ballot. Incumbents are Rachel Hammers (Ward 1), Seth Hollowell (Ward 2), and Anthony Martin (Ward 3).

Two seats on the New Franklin Board of Education will be open for re-election. Incumbents are board treasurer Kirk Wilmsmeyer and Alan Marshall.

The Glasgow city council will have three seats on the April ballot. Incumbents are North Ward Alderman Eric Monnig and South Ward Alderman Joey Gibbs. The Central Ward seat has been empty since November 2, when the council voted 5-1 to impeach Alderwoman Renna Bean. 

The city council faced a significant setback just prior to the April 2023 election when five candidates were disqualified from running because they failed to file financial interest statements with the Missouri Ethics Commission in time.

The Glasgow school board will have two seats up for election. Current incumbents are board secretary Mitch Monnig and vice president Josh DeMint.

Voters in Armstrong will elect a Mayor and two aldermen. Incumbents are Mayor Jackie Kurtz, East Ward Alderman Korey Wood, and West Ward Alderman Chris DeGraffenried.

The City of Harrisburg does not have a typical city council but rather a board of trustees. The two seats currently held by incumbents Jeff Arp and Charles Roller will appear on the ballot. Terms are for two years.

Harrisburg will also have two school board seats on the ballot. Incumbents are board treasurer Josh Stephenson and Bethann Rosson.

Higbee Mayor Rick Switzer told the Advertiser on Monday he will probably seek another term but hasn’t completely decided. Two seats on the city council will also appear before voters. Incumbents are North Ward Alderman Scotty Vanlandingham and South Ward Alderwoman Becky Bonuchi.

Two seats on the Higbee Board of Education will also appear on the ballot. Incumbents are Rusty Ratliff and William (Billy) Smith.

Howard County Clerk Shelly Howell said on Monday that she is still recruiting election judges for the 2024 elections on April 2, August 6, and November 5.

Howell said she expects the elections to draw a high number of voters, which will require more judges. Election judges receive $10 for attending training sessions, $25 for poll setups, and $140 for working the polls on Election Day. Election judge supervisors earn $150.

Election judges must be registered voters in Howard County, persons of good repute and character, and may not work either full or part-time for any of the candidates. Judges also may not be a relative to the second degree to any opposed candidate on the ballot. (Second-degree relations include spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and grandchildren). 

Election judges work in bipartisan teams of Republicans and Democrats and are required to declare a party.

Polls where judges are needed the most include the Boonesboro Church, Grace Fellowship Church, Bible Baptist Church (New Franklin), Armstrong City Hall, and Knights of Columbus (Glasgow). 

Howell said she is close to filling all open spots but wants extra judges as backup.

“If there are not enough election judges by Statute to have a polling location open, I will have to start combining polling locations,” Howell said. “That could mean, as a voter, you will have to travel to another location.”

Civic-minded citizens are encouraged to apply by contacting the County Clerk’s office at (660) 248-2284.