In-person absentee voting starts this week in Missouri, and Kansas City area voters can begin casting ballots in races like the U.S. House and Senate, as well as state legislative races and a handful of proposed amendments to the state’s constitution. The Beacon compiled a guide to what’s on your Missouri ballot for the Nov. 8 […]
Elections
The Kansas City Beacon provides the latest election news.
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections
Voting in the Kansas general election? Here’s what to expect when casting your ballot
The Kansas general election is on Nov. 8, but voters don’t have to wait that long to vote. Whether you vote on election day, by mail or early in person, The Beacon has created a guide to help you prepare. How do I check my voter registration information? When do I vote in the Kansas […]
Posted inElections, State Government
Who spent what: Missouri’s campaign finance reports, from U.S. Senate to the campaign for legal weed
Eric Schmitt spent nearly $20,000 at Mar-a-Lago while pursuing his bid to be Missouri’s next U.S. senator. Proponents for legal weed spent six figures on legal fees. And a GOP challenger for Emanuel Cleaver’s seat in the U.S. Congress raised a mere $33. Those are some of the nuggets included in new Missouri campaign finance […]
Posted inElections, Local Government, Uncategorized
Live in KC, Independence or Lee’s Summit? Here are your Jackson County Legislature candidates
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information about the county executive’s ability to vote in the Jackson County legislature. Some of the races for the Jackson County Legislature were decided in the August primary election, and one district’s incumbent is running unopposed. But voters in three legislative districts will see a […]
Posted inElections, State Government
These two Kansas City Northland races could make a dent in the Missouri legislature’s power balance
In Kansas City’s Northland, the growing population is becoming younger and more diverse. Democrats are hoping to capitalize on those changes as they try to whittle away at GOP supermajorities in the Missouri legislature. Competitive races in the 12th and 14th state House districts are presenting opportunities to hold on to one seat and flip […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Who will Jackson County voters pick to represent them in the County Legislature?
After a primary election that already unseated an incumbent, Jackson County residents will see at least six new faces in the nine seats of their County Legislature. In the at-large races, six candidates are competing for three positions. Although each at-large legislator is elected by voters in the entire county, candidates must live in their […]
Posted inElections, Local Government, State Government
Who are the Kansas judges on the November ballot?
Elections for high-profile judicial positions like state Supreme Court justices get a lot of attention, and for good reason. The court issues consequential decisions on fundamental questions of democracy, like redistricting and abortion rights, so there’s a lot at stake. But nearly everyone who interacts with the courts only ever does so at the trial […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
The winner of this election will lead the Johnson County Commission
After the nonpartisan primary election on Aug. 2, the race for Johnson County Commission chair has narrowed to two candidates: the 3rd District Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara and Roeland Park Mayor Mike Kelly. The Johnson County Commission oversees the county government, including a $1.45 billion budget and about 30 county departments. The Johnson County Commission chair […]
Posted inElections, State Government
What is a constitutional convention? And is it time for one in Missouri?
Toward the bottom of the Nov. 8 ballot, Missourians will find a question asking whether they would like to call a convention to amend the state’s constitution. Thanks to a state law, that question must be asked every 20 years. But what exactly is a state constitutional convention? And why would Missourians vote for it? […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
“Let our people vote”: Sheriff won’t let voter registration groups inside Jackson County jail
Social justice and voting rights groups in Kansas City have been calling on Sheriff Darryl Forté to allow voter registration activities inside the Jackson County jail for several weeks. But as Missouri’s Oct. 12 deadline to register to vote approaches, Forté’s stance has left advocates confused and frustrated. Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity […]