reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MO Rev Stat § 115.551 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.551 - Appeal, how taken.

Effective - 01 Jan 1978   115.551. Appeal, how taken. — Either party to the contest may appeal the judgment of the circuit court to the court of appeals of the appropriate jurisdiction, who shall give the case preference in the order of hearing to all other cases, modify its rules to the extent necessary in order to conclude the appeal as many days prior to the general election as possible and hear the case in the manner of appeals of cases in equity. The practice and procedure prescribed in civil actions shall be followed in all respects not inconsistent with the provisions of sections 115.527 to 115.551. In every case of such appeal, a bond with sufficient sureties conditioned for the payment of the costs accrued and to accrue in the cause may be required by any court in which the case is* pending. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.060)  Effective 1-01-78  *Word "in" appears in original rolls.  (1979) There is no doubt the legislature in the comprehensive Election Act intended primary election contests to be fully decided prior to the general election. Edwards v. Kelly (A.), 578 S.W.2d 357. (1980) Legislative intent in Election Act was that primary election contests be fully decided prior to general election. Black v. Bockenkamp (A.), 607 S.W.2d 176.
MO Rev Stat § 115.553 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.553 - Candidate may challenge returns — registered voter of area may contest result.

Effective - 01 Jan 1978   115.553. Candidate may challenge returns — registered voter of area may contest result. — 1. Any candidate for election to any office may challenge the correctness of the returns for the office, charging that irregularities occurred in the election.  2. The result of any election on any question may be contested by one or more registered voters from the area in which the election was held. The petitioning voter or voters shall be considered the contestant and the officer or election authority responsible for issuing the statement setting forth the result of the election shall be considered the contestee. In any such contest, the proponents and opponents of the ballot question shall have the right to engage counsel to represent and act for them in all matters involved in and pertaining to the contest. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.100)  Effective 1-01-78  (2015) Post-election challenge to ballot titles may be brought under this chapter, unless the issue has been previously litigated and determined. Dotson v. Kander, 464 S.W.3d 190 (Mo.).
MO Rev Stat § 115.555 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.555 - Contest of state office election to be heard by supreme court.

Effective - 02 Jan 1979   115.555. Contest of state office election to be heard by supreme court. — All contested elections for the office of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer and state auditor shall be heard and determined by the supreme court. Likewise, all contests to the results of elections on constitutional amendments, on state statutes submitted or referred to the voters, and on questions relating to the retention of appellate and circuit judges subject to Article V, Section 25 of the State Constitution shall be heard and determined by the supreme court. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.105, A.L. 1978 H.B. 1634)  Effective 1-02-79
MO Rev Stat § 115.557 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.557 - Election contest to be filed, when.

Effective - 01 Jan 1978   115.557. Election contest to be filed, when. — Not later than thirty days after the official announcement of the election result by the secretary of state, any person authorized by section 115.553 who wishes to contest the election for any office or on any question provided in section 115.555, shall file a verified petition in the office of the clerk of the supreme court. The petition shall set forth the points on which the contestant wishes to contest the election and the facts he will prove in support of such points, and shall pray leave to produce his proof. The supreme court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all matters relating to the contest and may issue appropriate orders to all election authorities in the area in which the contested election was held. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.110)  Effective 1-01-78
MO Rev Stat § 115.559 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.559 - Procedure after filing of petition.

Effective - 01 Jan 1978   115.559. Procedure after filing of petition. — 1. Immediately after a petition is filed, the clerk of the supreme court shall issue a summons upon the petition to the contestee, returnable by the day designated by the supreme court to the supreme court. The summons shall be served in any county of the state in the same manner provided for service of process in civil actions. If the contestee cannot be found within two days, the summons shall be served by leaving the summons and a copy of the petition at the residence address shown on the contestee's declaration of candidacy and by posting the summons in a conspicuous place in the office of the clerk of the supreme court.  2. Immediately after the petition is filed, the clerk of the supreme court shall send by certified or registered mail a certified copy of the petition to the secretary of state and to each election authority responsible for conducting the election in any area where an alleged irregularity occurred.  3. Not later than fifteen days after the petition is filed, the contestee may file an answer to the petition, specifying reasons why his nomination should not be contested. If the contestee wishes to contest the validity of any votes given to the contestant, he shall set forth in his answer the votes he wishes to contest and the facts he will prove in support of such contest and shall pray leave to produce his proof. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.115)  Effective 1-01-78
MO Rev Stat § 115.561 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.561 - Commissioner to take testimony, appointed, when — powers of commissioner.

Effective - 01 Jan 1978   115.561. Commissioner to take testimony, appointed, when — powers of commissioner. — 1. Immediately upon the filing of a petition and answer, if there is any, the supreme court shall appoint a commissioner of the court to take the testimony of witnesses at such times and places as the court shall order. The order shall specify the points and facts in regard to which testimony is to be taken and the time when the commissioner shall make his report to the court.  2. Upon appointment by the court, the commissioner shall proceed to procure the attendance of witnesses, and to take and certify testimony as directed. The contestant and contestee shall have the right to attend the examination of all witnesses and to cross-examine, but no testimony shall be taken except on the points and facts specified in the court order. The commissioner shall have authority to administer oaths, take depositions, compel the attendance of witnesses by summons and attachment, require such witnesses to testify and to compel discovery in accordance with the rules of discovery in civil cases. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.120)  Effective 1-01-78
MO Rev Stat § 115.563 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.563 - Contests for office of senator or representative to be heard by respective body.

Effective - 20 May 1982   115.563. Contests for office of senator or representative to be heard by respective body. — 1. All contested elections for the office of state senator shall be heard and determined by the state senate. All contested elections for the office of state representative shall be heard and determined by the state house of representatives.  2. Any contest based on the qualifications of a candidate for the office of state senator or state representative which have not been adjudicated prior to the general election shall be determined by the state senate or the state house of representatives, as the case may be. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.201, A.L. 1982 S.B. 526)  Effective 5-20-82
MO Rev Stat § 115.565 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.565 - Contests for house or senate seats, where and how filed.

Effective - 20 May 1982   115.565. Contests for house or senate seats, where and how filed. — Not later than thirty days after the official announcement of the election result is issued by the secretary of state, any candidate who wishes to contest the election for an office provided in section 115.563 shall file a verified petition with the president of the senate or the speaker of the house, as the case may be. In the case of contests based on the qualifications of a candidate for an office provided in section 115.563, not later than thirty days after the results of the general election have been certified by the secretary of state, any candidate who wishes to contest the qualifications of another candidate shall file a verified petition with the president of the senate or the speaker of the house, as the case may be. The petition shall set forth the points on which the contestant wishes to contest the election and the facts he will prove in support of such points. The state senate or the state house of representatives, as the case may be, shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all matters relating to the contest and may issue appropriate orders, under the hand of the president of the senate or the speaker of the house, to all election authorities in the area in which the contested election was held. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.205, A.L. 1982 S.B. 526)  Effective 5-20-82
MO Rev Stat § 115.567 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.567 - Contestee, service on, how made — notice to secretary of state — time for filing answer.

Effective - 01 Jan 1978   115.567. Contestee, service on, how made — notice to secretary of state — time for filing answer. — 1. At the time of filing, the contestee shall be served with a copy of the petition by the contestant or his representative. With the copy of the petition shall be included a written notice of the time and place of the petition's filing, the grounds on which the election is contested, the time and place for the taking of depositions and the names of all witnesses to be examined. If the contestee is not found within two days after the petition is filed, the copy of the petition and notice shall be left at the residence address shown on contestee's declaration of candidacy and by posting the petition in a conspicuous place in the office of the secretary of the senate or the chief clerk of the house, as the case may be.  2. At the time of filing, a copy of the petition and notice shall also be transmitted to the secretary of state and each election authority responsible for conducting the election in any area where an alleged irregularity occurred.  3. Not later than fifteen days after the petition is filed, the contestee may file an answer to the petition, specifying reasons why his election should not be contested. At the time of filing, a copy of the answer shall be transmitted to the contestant. If the contestee wishes to contest the validity of any votes given to the contestant, he shall include in his answer a notice of the time and place for the taking of depositions, the grounds on which the votes will be contested, and the names of all witnesses to be examined. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.210)  Effective 1-01-78
MO Rev Stat § 115.569 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.569 - Depositions, when taken — civil discovery rules to apply.

Effective - 20 May 1982   115.569. Depositions, when taken — civil discovery rules to apply. — Immediately upon the filing of a petition and answer, the taking of depositions may commence at the option of the contestant, and the persons selected by the contestant and contestee to take depositions shall immediately issue subpoenas to the witnesses, commanding them to appear and give testimony at the time and place specified. The taking of depositions and all related matters shall be subject to the rules of discovery in civil cases. Either the contestant or the contestee may, without notice, take rebutting testimony at the time and place specified for the taking of depositions. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.215, A.L. 1982 S.B. 526)  Effective 5-20-82
MO Rev Stat § 115.571 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.571 - Evidence to be received, form, contents.

Effective - 20 May 1982   115.571. Evidence to be received, form, contents. — 1. Evidence received by the senate or house may be either by depositions taken pursuant to section 115.569 or by witnesses subpoenaed for personal appearance before the senate or house.  2. No testimony shall be received in the taking of depositions which does not relate to the points specified in the notices.  3. All testimony taken shall be certified by the persons appointed to take the depositions to the president of the senate or to the speaker of the house, as the case may be. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.220, A.L. 1982 S.B. 526)  Effective 5-20-82
MO Rev Stat § 115.573 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.573 - No appeal from decision of house or senate.

Effective - 01 Jan 1978   115.573. No appeal from decision of house or senate. — The determination made by the state senate or the state house of representatives on a contested election shall be final and not subject to court review. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.225)  Effective 1-01-78
MO Rev Stat § 115.575 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.575 - Contests for office of circuit judge, where heard — other contests, where heard — filing in incorrect circuit, procedure.

Effective - 28 Aug 2003   115.575. Contests for office of circuit judge, where heard — other contests, where heard — filing in incorrect circuit, procedure. — 1. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, all contested elections for the office of circuit or associate circuit judge not subject to the provisions of Article V, Section 25 of the State Constitution, whether contested on the basis of qualification, irregularity, or other cause, or for recount other than the automatic recount provided for in section 115.601, and whether in a primary or general election, shall be filed in and heard and determined by an adjoining circuit court selected by the contestant.  2. All contested elections on any office or question other than those provided for in sections 115.555, 115.563 and subsection 1 of this section shall be heard and determined by the circuit court of any circuit, selected by the contestant, in which all or any part of the election was held and in which any alleged irregularity occurred. The contestant shall only be required to file one petition with the circuit court for each election contest regardless of the number of counties within the court's jurisdiction.  3. If a petition contesting any election is filed in an incorrect circuit, the court in which it is filed shall have jurisdiction and shall promptly transfer the suit to the correct circuit court. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.301, A.L. 1978 H.B. 1634, A.L. 1997 S.B. 132 merged with S.B. 248, A.L. 2003 H.B. 133)
MO Rev Stat § 115.577 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.577 - Time in which election contest may be filed.

Effective - 28 Aug 1997   115.577. Time in which election contest may be filed. — Not later than thirty days after the official announcement of the election result by the election authority, any person authorized by section 115.553 who wishes to contest the election for any office or on any question provided in section 115.575 shall file a verified petition in the office of the clerk of the appropriate circuit court. The contestant shall only be required to file one petition with the circuit court for each election contest regardless of the number of counties within the court's jurisdiction. The petition shall set forth the points on which the contestant wishes to contest the election and the facts he will prove in support of such points, and shall pray leave to produce his proof. The circuit court in which the petition is filed shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all matters relating to the contest and may issue appropriate orders to all election authorities in the area in which the contested election was held. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.305, A.L. 1997 S.B. 132)
MO Rev Stat § 115.579 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.579 - Duty of circuit clerk upon filing of petition — answer, when due.

Effective - 01 Jan 1978   115.579. Duty of circuit clerk upon filing of petition — answer, when due. — 1. Immediately after a petition is filed, the clerk of the circuit court shall issue a summons upon the petition to the contestee, returnable by the day designated by the circuit court to the circuit court. The summons shall be served in any county of the state in the same manner provided for service of process in civil actions. If the contestee cannot be found within two days, the summons shall be served by leaving the summons and a copy of the petition at the residence address shown on the contestee's declaration of candidacy and by posting the summons in a conspicuous place in the office of the clerk of the circuit court.  2. Immediately after the petition is filed, the clerk of the circuit court shall send by certified or registered mail a certified copy of the petition to the election authority responsible for issuing a statement announcing the results of the contested election and to each election authority responsible for conducting the election in any area where an alleged irregularity occurred.  3. Not later than fifteen days after the petition is filed, the contestee may file an answer to the petition, specifying reasons why his nomination should not be contested. If the contestee wishes to contest the validity of any votes given to the contestant, he shall set forth in his answer the votes he wishes to contest and the facts he will prove in support of such contest and shall pray leave to produce his proof. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.310)  Effective 1-01-78
MO Rev Stat § 115.581 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.581 - Case to be tried, when.

Effective - 01 Jan 1978   115.581. Case to be tried, when. — Immediately upon the filing of a petition and answer, if there is any, the court shall proceed to try the case and may at once appoint a commissioner to take testimony in the same way and manner as provided for the contest of state offices in section 115.561. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.315)  Effective 1-01-78
MO Rev Stat § 115.583 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.583 - Recount of votes ordered, when.

Effective - 01 Jan 1978   115.583. Recount of votes ordered, when. — If the court or legislative body hearing a contest finds there is a prima facie showing of irregularities which place the result of any contested election in doubt, the court or legislative body shall order a recount of all votes brought in question by the petition or its answer. Where the issue is drawn over the validity of certain votes cast, a prima facie case is made if the validity of a number of votes equal to or greater than the margin of defeat is placed in doubt. The court or legislative body may order a recount of all votes brought in question by the petition or its answer at any time if it finds that the election result is placed in doubt. All materials and records relating to the contested election may be subpoenaed, and all information contained therein shall be subject to the rules of discovery in civil cases. During a recount, the court may hear additional evidence offered by any party bearing on any issue relating to the contested election. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.400)  Effective 1-01-78
MO Rev Stat § 115.587 (2021)
2021 Missouri Revised Statutes|Title IX - Suffrage and Elections|Chapter 115 - Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections|Section 115.587 - Persons conducting recount, how selected.

Effective - 01 Jan 1978   115.587. Persons conducting recount, how selected. — Whenever a recount is ordered pursuant to section 115.583 or 115.601, the court or legislative body shall determine the number of persons necessary to assist with the recount and shall appoint such persons equally from lists submitted to the court or legislative body by the contestant and the contestee. Each person appointed pursuant to this section shall be a disinterested person and a registered voter of the area in which the contested election was held. Each person so appointed shall take the oath prescribed for and receive the same pay as an election judge in the jurisdiction where he is registered. After being sworn not to disclose any facts uncovered by the recount, except those which are contained in the court or legislative report, the contestant and the contestee shall be permitted to be present in person or represented by an attorney at the recount and to observe the recount. Each recount shall be completed under the supervision of the court or legislative body, and the persons appointed to assist with the recount shall perform such duties as the court or legislative body shall direct. Upon completion of any duties prescribed by the court or legislative body, the persons appointed to assist with the recount shall make a written and signed report of their findings to the court or legislative body. The findings of the persons appointed to assist with the recount shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein, but any person present at the examination of the votes may be heard as a witness to contradict the findings. No one other than the election authority, representatives of the court or legislative body, the contestant and contestee, their attorneys, and those specifically appointed by the court or legislative body to assist with the recount shall be present during any recount ordered pursuant to the provisions of section 115.583 or 115.601. ­­-------- (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.415)  Effective 1-01-78