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A joint fundraising committee enables donors to contribute up to $13,200 during an election cycle, which can then be divided among multiple candidates. The individual donation limit of $6,600 per candidate per election cycle remains unchanged. (Wikimedia Commons)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Bush joins 'Squad' in rally for $100 million defense against AIPAC backlash races

In the midst of political tensions surrounding Israel's handling of the conflict with Hamas, Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., is joining forces with …

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Missourians anxious over future birth control access

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…

OpenSecrets has tracked more than $2.8 billion in dark money spending and contributions reported to the Federal Elections Commission since the Supreme Court's Citizens United v. FEC decision in 2010. (pla2na/Adobe Stock)

'Dark money' floods 2024 elections

Undisclosed funding, or "dark money," is pumping into the 2024 election cycle. Political spending by donors who stay hidden is reaching record …

Missouri's Senate Bill 1314, similar to House Bill 2365, prohibits funds from being expended by any state department for interdepartmental programs, staffing or other initiatives associated with

New report reveals high economic risk of anti-DEI laws in Missouri

A new report finds some Missouri laws and prospective laws are perceived as discriminatory regardless of their actual intent - and it outlines some bi…

The now scrapped House Bill 1708 passed out of the House Rules Committee on Jan. 29. The National Rifle Association describes the bill as

Missouri Dems attempt new legislation following parade shooting

Missouri Democrats have filed legislation which would prompt a vote to return gun possession rules to local governments. The move was prompted by a …

The Jan. 6 Committee's final report revealed members of the Oath Keepers and other Trump allies stockpiled weapons near Washington, D.C., as they waited for the former president to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy the military for domestic law enforcement. (spidey888/Adobe Stock)<br />

Democracy challenged by social media 'networked incitement'

The use of social media to organize the Jan. 6 insurrection marked a turning point in American political protest, according to a leading media and …

After the George Floyd murder, Black Excellence built

'Black Excellence' sees World Cup 2026 as major MO opportunity

Major Kansas City developments -- such as the upcoming 2026 World Cup and building the first women's professional sports stadium -- are driving gentri…

Uninsured people are more likely to support public health insurance programs, but are less likely to vote than people with health insurance, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Studies show the trend has contributed to a lack of Medicaid expansion in states that could benefit from it. (Krakenimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Doctors: Voting would improve U.S. health care system

Voting is not only good for democracy, it is also good for your health, according to one of the nation's largest medical associations. The American …

In a statement, Edward Mitchell, CAIR's national deputy director, said

Hawley criticized for heated questioning of Muslim American judicial nominee

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has drawn fire for his questioning of the first Muslim American judicial nominee. Hawley, along with Sen. Tom Cotton…

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, reintroduced what is known as the

Livestock manure makes 'big stink' for MO family farmers

Congress passed a one-year extension of the current Farm Bill, which means the debate over a new bill will continue well into 2024. Advocacy groups …

Rashida Tlaib is the only Palestinian American and just one of two Muslim Women in Congress. (Drew Angerer/Getty)

Bush stands by censured congresswoman who says she won't be silenced

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, the sole Palestinian-American voice in Congress, was officially reprimanded last Tuesday, but many of her colleagues say …

National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating democracy. It has gained momentum since it was first observed in 2012. (DEEP/Adobe Stock)

About 1 in 3 Missourians Isn't Registered to Vote

Today is National Voter Registration Day, and Missourians have many locations where they can register to vote - from community colleges and …

The Right Time initiative conducted an online survey of 1,000 Missouri residents between April 27 and May 3. (Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

Is Birth Control Legal? Many Missourians Unsure

One in four Missourians either doesn't believe or doesn't know that using birth control pills is legal in the state. The Right Time, an initiative …

Fifteen unarmed civilian protection teams exist in the United States and five more internationally, according to the Shanti Sena Network. (KozyrevaElena/Adobe Stock)

Unarmed, Skilled De-Escalation Teams Prepared for Worst of Times

When Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., needed assistance after threats during her 2020 election campaign, she turned to unarmed civilian protection in Saint …

More than a fifth of the Americans live in so called

Student Reporters Get On-the-Job Training at Statehouse

Student reporters are stepping up to fill gaps in news coverage as the number of full-time statehouse reporters continues to decline. State …

This is the first election to be conducted under the new voter-ID rules in Missouri. (Adobe Stock)

No-Excuse Absentee Voting Under Way in Missouri

This Friday - October 28 - is Vote Early Day, and with early voting already under way in Missouri there's a few things to remember. Missourians can …

The Help America Vote act of 2002 requires each polling place have at least one accessible voting system. (Adobe Stock)

Voting Access Better for MO People with Disabilities; Challenges Remain

With absentee voting under way, election season has arrived in Missouri, but voters with disabilities still face challenges. While poll workers can …

La ley Help America Vote de 2002 exige que cada colegio electoral tenga al menos un sistema de votaci�n accesible. (Adobe Stock)

Acceso al voto para discapacitados de MO es mejor, pero continuan los desafíos

Con el voto por correo en marcha, la temporada electoral ha llegado a Missouri, pero los votantes con discapacidades siguen enfrentándose a …

As of 2020, more than 4.3 million Missourians were registered to vote. (Adobe Stock)

Missouri Primary Voter ID Rules and Beyond

Despite all the news of recent changes to Missouri voting laws, some things remain the same for the Aug. 2 primary. Voters going to the polls this …

In the August primary, Missourians still can use student IDs and current utility bills, bank statements, paychecks or other government checks as identification for voting. (sos.mo.gov)

Last Chance to Register to Vote in MO August Primary

Today is the deadline for Missouri residents to make sure they are registered to vote if they want to cast a ballot in the August primary. Eligible …

The new congressional district map splits Boone County into two districts, right through downtown Columbia. (Missouri House of Representatives)

MO County Clerk: Look Up Your New District Before Election Time

With congressional voting district maps finally in place in Missouri, county clerks are working to educate voters on the changes. Every 10 years …

Some counties send out postcards with voters' new districts on them so they can research what candidates are running. (JJ Gouin/Adobe Stock)

Election Officials: New Maps Needed Before Candidate Filing Deadline

Not all of Missouri's new voting-district maps are finalized, despite a candidate filing deadline of March 29. The new state House maps were filed …

Just 36 women have ever served in the Missouri Senate, compared with more than 1,000 men. (Missouri Senate)

Children's Book by Missouri's 11 Women Senators Aims to Promote Literacy

The 11 women in the Missouri Senate have written a new book called "You Can, Too!" to promote literacy across the state, and encourage more young …

Around 53% of Missouri voters approved Medicaid expansion in 2020, the most recent successful citizen-led ballot initiative. (adogslifephoto/Adobe Stock)

MO Groups to Lawmakers: Don't Limit Citizen-Led Ballot Petitions

Some lawmakers in Jefferson City are pushing forward bills that would limit citizens' ability to put constitutional amendments on the ballot…

National Poll Worker Recruitment Day was established in 2020 amid shortages of poll workers due to COVID-19. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

Election Officials to Missourians: "Please Become a Poll Worker"

It is National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, and with April municipal elections coming up, clerks and boards of election across the state are looking …

If a constitutional amendment makes it onto the ballot and passes in November, Missouri will join Maine and Alaska, which both use ranked-choice voting for statewide elections. (Burlingham/Adobe Stock)

MO Bipartisan Campaign Seeks to Switch to Ranked-Choice Voting

A ballot initiative in Missouri is seeking to change the way statewide elections are run. Currently, in the Show-Me State, there are party primaries …

A majority of Missouri's Democratic voters live in urban areas, and Republicans in rural areas. (Destina/Adobe Stock)

MO Groups, Voters Urge Fairness, Transparency in Redistricting

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Partisan tensions have been apparent in Missouri's redistricting process as commissions work to draw legislative maps and …

Public comments on Missouri's voting district maps for the next 10 years can be submitted online, at the Missouri Redistricting Commission Hub. (SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Stock)

Coalition Urges Missourians to Join Redistricting Process

ST. LOUIS - Public hearings for Missouri's redistricting process begin Saturday in St. Louis and continue next week in Springfield and Kansas City…

A group of U.S. Senators has introduced a new voting-rights bill, known as the Freedom to Vote Act. (ungvar/Adobe Stock)

Groups See MO Proposals as Voter-Suppression Attempts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- As lawmakers in Congress work to expand access to voting, members of the Missouri Legislature are proposing laws their critics …

Missouri is one of just three states without an online ballot-tracking system. (alexandra/Adobe Stock)

Report: MO Voting Laws Hamper Access to Ballot Box

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A new report finds Missouri lags behind many other states in voting access. The Campaign Legal Center graded states on …

Commissioners charged with redistricting in Missouri are set to meet for the first time in August to draw new legislative district maps. (luzitanija/Adobe Stock)

Groups: Put MO Voters Over Partisan Interests in Redistricting

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Redistricting reformers urged the people charged with drawing new voting-district maps in Missouri to commit to putting the …

Missouri's congressional districts are drawn by the Legislature, and state legislative districts by two redistricting commissions made up of politicians, one for the state House and one for the state Senate. (Evgeny/Adobe Stock)

Coalition Seeks Public Input on Missouri's New Voting-District Maps

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- As Missouri lawmakers prepare to draw lines for the next decade of voting-district maps, groups advocating for a fair process are …

A new Gallup survey shows more than 60% of Americans say they know

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by …

In the 2020 presidential election, women cast nearly 10 million more votes than men. However, more men hold public office than women, according to Rutgers University's Center for American Women and Politics. (Adobe Stock)

Despite High Voter Turnout, Women Hold Only 30% of Political Offices

ST. LOUIS - Women account for a majority of the U.S. population, but a new report shows they make up less than one third of high level government …

Voting-rights advocates say the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would help prevent restrictive voting laws from being passed in Missouri. (SEIU/Flickr)

Missourians Join Call to Pass John Lewis Voting Rights Act

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Missouri voting-rights advocates joined a national call to action Saturday to promote the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act …

Voters in Missouri approved a ballot initiative expanding Medicaid. If the state funds it, Missouri will be on track to receive more than $1 billion in federal incentives. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

Pediatricians: Failure to Fund Medicaid Expansion Could Have Long-Lasting Impacts

COLUMBIA, Mo. - As lawmakers continue their debate on whether to fund voter-approved Medicaid expansion in Missouri, pediatricians say lack of access …

Missouri had three initiatives on the ballot in 2020, one during the August primary and two in the November general election. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

Good-Government Groups Urge End to Attacks on Ballot-Initiative Process

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Good-government groups are opposing two bills before the Legislature, saying they would limit voters' ability to reform state …

Documentary Shows Self-Proclaimed Conservatives Exploring Inequalities

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- With former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial demonstrating deep divisions in the nation, a new documentary released today …

Missouri could become one of 14 states to take legislative action on media literacy, if lawmakers pass a bill to incorporate it into K-12 education. (Chinnapong/Adobe Stock)

Bill Would Bring Media-Literacy Training to MO Schools

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Missouri lawmaker introduced a bill which would add media literacy training to the public-school curriculum. House Bill 74 …

The For the People Act, if passed, will include campaign finance reforms and mandate independent commissions to draw voting district maps. (freshidea/Adobe Stock)

Good-Government Groups Say MO Needs Democracy Reform

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Good-government groups in Missouri say that a major democracy reform package, HR1 - or the For the People Act - would bring the …

Missouri labor leaders and good-government groups are calling on Sen. Josh Hawley to resign over his actions, seen as encouraging the rioters, leading up to and during the assault on the U.S. Capitol last week. (lazyllama/Adobe Stock)

Protests Call for Sen. Hawley's Resignation

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis labor leaders and good-government groups are coming together to demand U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley's resignation. At the U.S…

Mental-health and substance-use advocates in St. Louis are launching a new program to help get behavioral-health resources to community members in crisis. (releon8211/Adobe Stock)

New Partnership to Divert Some St. Louis 911 Calls to Behavioral-Health Experts

ST. LOUIS - A new partnership in St. Louis starting this month will divert some 911 calls to trained behavioral health professionals - if the caller …

This fall, nearly 70% of St. Louis voters backed the idea of switching to

St. Louis Helps Pave Way for Nonpartisan Election Reform

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- City elections in St. Louis will change next year after residents approved a nonpartisan primary system in what's known as …

Ballots cast in Missouri surpassed 3 million for the first time. (AdobeStock)

Missouri Voters, Election Workers Applauded for their Patience

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Despite a pandemic and one of the most contentious presidential races on record, the 2020 general election in Missouri went off …

Proposition D on the ballot in St. Louis would create nonpartisan primaries for municipal elections. (Adobe Stock)

Will St. Louis Lead the Charge in Approval Voting?

ST. LOUIS -- During historically divisive times, one Missouri city could be moving toward a nonpartisan way of electing its leaders. St. Louis …

66% of registered voters in Missouri turned out for the 2016 presidential election. (Adobe Stock)

2 Weeks Remain to Register to Vote in Missouri

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The deadline to register to vote in Missouri is October 7, and some advocacy groups are racing to get the word out with six weeks …

More than 37,000 Missourians will be diagnosed with cancer this year alone, according to the American Cancer Society. (Adobe Stock)

Next Week, MO Voters Decide on Medicaid Expansion

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri voters will have a chance to decide whether the state should expand Medicaid in next Tuesday's primary election…

Libraries in Missouri have expanded services to protect the health of patrons during the pandemic. (AdobeStock)

Congress Considers Emergency Funding for Libraries

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Federal lawmakers are considering legislation that would help keep library doors open in Missouri in the wake of the COVID-19 …

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MO: Civic Engagement & Voting