Mo. Rev. Stat. § 59.043

In all counties where the recorder of deeds and the clerk of the circuit court are separated after December 31, 2003, in the next November general election, and every four years thereafter, the qualified voters of such county shall elect some suitable person as circuit court clerk who shall hold office for four years until a successor is elected, commissioned and qualified. Such person shall enter upon the duties of office on the first day of January next following the election.