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Laws governing recall in Missouri
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A recall election is the process by which citizens may remove elected officials from office before the expiration of their terms. This article summarizes the laws governing recall elections in Missouri. Missouri allows for the recall of some local officials but does not allow for the recall of state officials.
In 39 states, local officials can be subject to recall elections. Of those, 19 also permit recalls of state-level officials. Eleven states do not permit recalls of elected officials at any level. Click here for more information.
Offices subject to recall
Federal officials
The U.S. Constitution does not provide for the recall of elected federal officials. While some state constitutions have stated that their citizens have the right to recall members of Congress, the Supreme Court has never ruled on whether such recalls are constitutional.[1] Ballotpedia does not provide coverage of federal recalls. Click here for more information.
State officials
Missouri law does not provide for the recall of state officials.[2]
Local officials
Elected officials in third-class cities may be subject to recall.[3] The Missouri Revisor of Statutes defines third-class cities as cities and towns with populations exceeding 3,000.[4] Cities with their own charters may also permit the recall of their elected officials.
Process
A recall petition cannot be filed against an officeholder who has served less than six months.[3]
Prerequisites
Reasons for recall
Missouri allows the following grounds for recall: misconduct in office, incompetence, or failure to perform duties prescribed by law.[3]
Petition
Signature requirements
Petitions must gather signatures from at least 25% of the city’s registered voters.[3]
Circulation timeline
Supporters must submit the required signatures within 60 days to qualify the recall for the ballot.[3]
Legislation involving recall elections
The table below lists bills related to recall elections in Missouri. The following information is included for each bill:
- State
- Bill number
- Official bill name or caption
- Most recent action date
- Legislative status
- Sponsor party
- Topics dealt with by the bill
Bills are organized by most recent action. The table displays up to 100 results. To view more bills, use the arrows in the upper-right corner. Clicking on a bill will open its page on Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker, which includes bill details and a summary.
See also
What are recalls?
Recall efforts
Ballotpedia's Recall Report
Recalls by state
Recalls by office
Recall laws
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Congressional Research Service, "Recall of Legislators and the Removal of Members of Congress from Office," January 5, 2012
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Recall of State Officials," September 15, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Missouri Revisor of Statutes, "77.650. Recall of elected officials — procedure — limitations.," accessed September 17, 2025
- ↑ Missouri Revisor of Statutes, "72.030. Third class cities.," accessed September 17, 2025
