Missouri Revised Statutes Title VII. Cities, Towns and Villages § 79.060. City to be divided into wards--aldermen elected--aldermen at large permitted for certain cities

1. The board of aldermen shall, by ordinance, divide the city into not less than two wards, and two aldermen shall be elected from each ward by the qualified voters thereof, at the first election for aldermen in cities adopting the provisions of this chapter. At such election for aldermen, the person receiving the highest number of votes in each ward shall hold his office for two years, and the person receiving the next highest number of votes shall hold his office for one year; but thereafter each ward shall elect annually one alderman, who shall hold his office for two years.

2. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 1 of this section, cities with a population of one thousand or less in the most recent census may, by ordinance, choose to elect aldermen at large instead of by the method outlined in subsection 1 of this section. Under this option, the seats of aldermen shall be filled at large as soon as the current terms expire. Each year thereafter, one-half of the board of aldermen shall stand for election at large for a two-year term.