• To register to vote you must be:
  US Citizen
  18 years of age or older on election day
  Reside within the city limits of Odessa
  A registered voter by the fourth Wednesday prior to the election
  Additional information regarding registration including where to register, voting locations and absentee ballots may be found at here.

City of Odessa Code of Ordinances   
For more information on City Wards and Elections, please visit the City of Odessa website.

Lafayette County  

For more information on Elections & Voter information, please visit the Lafayette County website.

Missouri Ethics Commission 

For more information about running for office, please visit the MEC website.

• Other Requirements
  According to state election regulations, no person shall be eligible to file as a candidate for municipal public office who has been found guilty of or pled guilty to a felony or misdemeanor under the federal laws of the United States of America or to a felony under the laws of this state or an offense committed in another state that would be considered a felony in this state. No person shall be eligible to file as a candidate for municipal public office who is delinquent in the payment of any state income taxes, personal property taxes, municipal taxes, real property taxes on the place of residence as stated on the declaration of candidacy, or if the person is a past or present corporate officer of any fee office that owes any taxes to the state.
  
  Filing for Candidacy
  General Elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in April every year. Filing for elected official candidacy is done at the City Clerk's office during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, at City Hall located at 228 S 2nd St, Odessa, Missouri. The filing period begins the 16th Tuesday before the election and closes the 11th Tuesday before the election. City offices are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and days designated as holidays by the City. Candidates for Mayor must be at least 25 years old, a registered voter, and a resident of the City of Odessa for one year prior to his/her election to office. Aldermen must be at least 18 years old, a registered voter, a resident of the city for one year prior to his/her election to office, and reside in the Ward that he/she is representing. During the filing period, please note that City Hall office hours are 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. City Hall will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays as well as holidays including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
  
  Candidates Must File in Person in the City Clerk's Office
  Pursuant to Section 115.347 of the Revised Statutes of the State of Missouri, no candidate’s name shall be printed on any official ballot unless his/her written, signed and sworn Declaration of Candidacy has been filed in the office of the City Clerk within the time allowed by law. Candidates will appear on the ballot in the order they have filed. If you are the first candidate to file for a given position, you will be the first candidate on the ballot for that position.
  
  Withdrawal of a Candidate
  Candidates who wish to withdraw may do so by filing their notice of withdrawal with the City Clerk no later than 5:00 pm on the 11th Tuesday before the election. The filing fee is not refundable in the case of withdrawal of a candidate.