Whether you want to contact a board member, speak publicly at a meeting or just keep an eye on changes in your district, we’ve updated our guide to what you need to know.
DIY Democracy
Posted inCivic Engagement, DIY Democracy, State Government
Missouri lawmakers break new ground to stop constitutional amendments — and abortion
Editor’s note (March 25, 2023): This story has been corrected to reflect that the proposal would require a majority support from voters statewide, plus a majority vote in five of Missouri’s eight congressional districts. While state lawmakers across the country stumbled when trying to make it harder for voters to amend state constitutions, Missouri lawmakers […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, DIY Democracy, State Government
Missouri House and Senate OK two plans making it harder for voters to amend the state constitution
The Republican-controlled Missouri House and Senate advanced two different proposals Thursday that would make it harder for voters to change the state constitution using a constitutional amendment. The Senate passed a bill on a party-line vote that would dramatically crank up the difficulty of passing a constitutional amendment proposed by voters using an initiative petition […]
Posted inDIY Democracy, Local Government, State Government
Missouri House Democrats launch uphill push to give cities more power over gun control
Takeaways: Missouri House Democrats reacted to the fatal shooting that followed Kansas City’s Super Bowl celebration by pushing to give mayors and city councils more leeway on gun control. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade and her Democratic caucus bristle at the way Missouri’s lawmakers refuse to consider legislation that would create more firearms restrictions in […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, DIY Democracy, Elections
FAQ: What to know about Missouri’s Democratic presidential primary
Missouri Democrats wanting to weigh in on the party’s nominee for president can either go to the polls this spring or mail in their ballots. A 2022 law eliminated Missouri’s state-run presidential primaries, leaving the parties to sort out their own ways to weigh in on the contests. Democrats decided on a presidential primary and […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, DIY Democracy, Elections
FAQ: Your guide to the 2024 Missouri Republican caucus
This year, the way Missouri Republicans weigh in on the presidential race will be a bit different. Thanks to a 2022 law, Missouri counties are no longer responsible for conducting presidential preference primaries. Instead, that falls to county Republican and Democratic parties across the state. Registered Republicans and unaffiliated voters will have the opportunity to […]
Posted inDIY Democracy, State Government
DIY Democracy: How to follow the 2024 Missouri General Assembly
Members of the 2024 Missouri General Assembly begin their spring legislative session in January. Much of the work happens behind closed doors, but floor debates, bill hearings and other legislative happenings are easy to tune into online. Lawmakers meet from January to May, with an occasional extra session if the governor decides a topic is […]
Posted inDIY Democracy, Elections, State Government
Constitutional amendments, shielding records from the public: Bills to watch in Missouri 2024
Takeaways: In a state where fees topping four figures effectively put public records out of reach, lawmakers want to put their written discussions about legislation completely out of view. Missouri lawmakers have looked to use the legislature for years to limit access to various democratic processes. They put limits on access to public records, rolled […]
Posted inDIY Democracy, Elections, Local Government
An incumbent versus a barbecue business owner in Wyandotte County
Wyandotte County voters will decide Unified Government’s District 1 at-large seat on Nov. 7. The winner will face decisions about how taxpayer dollars are spent and how the county’s chief governing body will address issues like safety, housing and property taxes.
Posted inDIY Democracy, Education, Elections
Blue Valley school board candidates divide themselves into two slates
Calling themselves the A+ Team, newcomer Clay Norkey and incumbents Jan Kessinger, Patrick Hurley and Jodie Dietz emphasize the district’s achievements, such as high rankings as an employer and school district and test scores above the state average.