Ozark, Mo. – On April 7, 2026, Ozark voters will consider two ballot questions: whether to establish a commission to draft a city charter and, if the first question is approved, who should serve on the commission.
In Missouri, a charter is a form of municipal government that allows citizens to establish their own local governance framework, rather than being fully governed by state statutes. A charter can provide flexibility in how citizens organize their city’s operations to its unique needs, values, and priorities. In short, it gives residents greater local control.
It is important to note that this election is not a vote to adopt a charter. Instead, voters will decide whether to create a charter commission of voter-elected Ozark residents. That commission would be responsible for drafting a proposed charter, which would then be placed on the ballot in a future election for voters to decide whether to approve or reject…