Date set for judicial commission vote

The Greene County Circuit Clerk's office has set Jan. 21 as the date to vote for the two elected members of the new 31st Circuit Judicial Commission.

The commission is a result of the yes vote on Question 1 in the Nov. 4 election, which adds the 31st Circuit, covering Greene County, to the list of counties using the Nonpartisan Court Plan to select judges.

The commission will comprise five members: the chief justice of the Missouri Court of Appeals Southern District, two non-attorney members appointed by the governor, and two local attorneys who will be chosen by their peers on Jan. 21.

To be a candidate for one of the two elected positions, nominees must live in Greene County and be members of The Missouri Bar in good standing. They also have to collect 10 signatures from other Missouri Bar members living in Greene County. The terms for the two positions are staggered - one expires at the end of 2011 and the other serves through 2013.

The deadline to submit petitions to the circuit clerk is Dec. 22; ballots will be mailed to eligible voters 20 days before the election and have to be returned by the Jan. 21 date. Candidates must receive a majority to win, or else a runoff election will be held between the two top vote-getters.

Those interested in running for a spot on the commission can pick up a petition from County Clerk Steve Helms' office on the second floor of the Greene County Judicial Complex, 1010 Boonville Ave.