Opinion ID: 2287933
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Standing for Mandamus Action

Text: In counts II and IV, the plaintiffs seek a writ of mandamus. The issue of whether a plaintiff has standing in a mandamus action requires a different analysis than in a declaratory judgment action. A narrow window exists by which even a member of the general public may seek mandamus against a public official. State ex rel. City of Cabool v. Texas County Bd. of Equalization, 850 S.W.2d 102, 105 (Mo. banc 1993). The principle at the heart of [the writ of mandamus] is that public officers are required to perform ministerial duties without any request or demand, and the entire public has the right to that performance. State ex rel. Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit v. Jones, 823 S.W.2d 471, 475 (Mo. banc 1992). As such, where the duty sought to be enforced is a simple, definite ministerial duty imposed by law, the threshold for standing is extremely low. City of Cabool, 850 S.W.2d at 105. If the assessor has a ministerial duty to value and assess the property in the manner alleged, then the plaintiffs have standing to bring a mandamus action.