ST. LOUIS — The Board of Aldermen on Friday voted to require candidates in city elections to show receipts proving that they owe no outstanding local taxes.

Under the current city code, people running for office must sign an affidavit declaring they’re paid up. But election officials check the accuracy of those statements only if someone complains that a candidate is delinquent.

“The validity of the process should never be in doubt,” said Collector of Revenue Gregory F.X. Daly, who pushed for the legislation. He said “chaos” in recent years regarding some candidates’ qualifications “has put a stain on the system.”

The bill, sponsored by Alderman Joe Vaccaro, D-23rd Ward, was passed without opposition.

The measure also would require the collector’s office to notify the city Election Board after the candidate filing deadline whether any have tax delinquencies. That’s aimed at catching those who become in arrears after they file for office.