The large majority of Missouri's 114 counties (109 of them) are run by a three-member County Commission (a presiding commissioner plus two associate commissioners) holding combined legislative and executive authority. Five of the state's most populous counties have adopted charter home-rule government: Jackson, Jefferson, St. Charles, and St. Louis Counties each have a separately elected County Executive alongside an elected council, while Clay County restructured in 2020 and still uses the commission form. For most Missouri residents, the county commission is the right point of contact for a public meeting or records request.