1. 1. In a county of the third class, the question of combining the offices of circuit clerk and recorder or separating the offices may be submitted to the voters of the county by the county commission and shall be submitted by the county commission upon the petition of voters who comprise at least eight percent of the voters of the county as determined by the total vote for governor at the last preceding general election at which a governor was elected.

2. 2. If the two offices are separate and the question is to combine the two offices, the question shall be submitted in substantially the following form:

   Shall the offices of the circuit clerk and recorder in ........ (name of county) county be combined?

3. 3. If the two offices are combined and the question is to separate the two offices, the question shall be submitted in substantially the following form:

   Official Ballot

   Shall the offices of circuit clerk and recorder in ......(name of county) county be separated?

4. 4. The submission of the question provided for in this section may be made at the November election in 1948, or any fourth year thereafter. Any consolidation or separation brought about as a result of the provisions of this section shall not become effective until the expiration of the term of office of the officers affected.

(RSMo 1939 § 13158, A.L. 1945 p. 1424 § 13147c, A.L. 1945 p. 1424 § 13147d, A.L. 1947 V. I p. 473, A.L. 1959 S.B. 70, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 11538; 1919 § 10563; 1909 § 10376