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LWVMO: Missouri Legislative Update

LWVMO: Missouri Legislative Update

Written by: LWVMO
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The LWVMO Legislative Update is a 15-minute weekly podcast recorded by The League of Women Voters of Missouri and released Sunday evenings to prepare you for the week ahead in Jefferson City. Join hosts Michele and Skyler as they break down bills tracked by the League of Women Voters of Missouri’s legislative tracking team and share clear information and, timely calls to action you can take to engage in democracy. Episodes run weekly during the Missouri legislative session from January through May, with special episodes and calls to action released throughout the season. Produced by Anna for the LWVMO.

All rights reserved. Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Call to Action: Legislative Update -- 01.11.26

    Call to Action: Legislative Update -- 01.11.26
    Jan 12 2026
    Legislative Update and Calls to Action for Week 1 of the MO Legislation 2026 Session


    Voting Rights/Elections

    Bill #: HB 1871

    LWVMO SUPPORTS

    Short Description: This bill increases the no excuse absentee (early) voting period from two weeks to four weeks and also reinstates the presidential primary.

    Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing Tuesday, January 13 at 8:00 AM in the House Elections Committee.

    Talking points:

    • Early voting facilitates voter participation.
    • It reduces stress on election workers and makes elections less vulnerable to disruption.
    • A presidential primary encourages greater participation as voters can access primaries over longer voting periods while caucuses have a limited window for participation and have seen low turnout.

    Link to the summary of the bill: HB 1871

    Call to action: Submit testimony HERE in SUPPORT of HB 1871. Please ensure you mark In Support Of under “Reason” in the testimony form.


    LWV Position: Support no-excuse absentee voting either by mail or in person, advance voting and measures that facilitate participation in the election process and expand all forms of early voting and work to reduce election administration stress. (LWVMO Guide to State Action, page 6, 16)


    The League supports electoral systems at each level of government that encourage participation, are verifiable and auditable, and enhance representation for all voters. (LWVMO Guide to State Action, page 64)


    Resources

    LWVMN killing of Renee Nicole Good Statement: Here

    Information on 2026 LWVMO Lobby Day of Action: Here


    League Resources

    League of Women Voters of Missouri: www.lwvmissouri.org

    Register to Vote / check vote registration and more at : Vote411.org

    There is a Local League near you. Get involved or join today to help protect democracy.

    Track Missouri Bills: www.senate.mo.gov | www.house.mo.gov

    The League of Women Voters envisions a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate. We believe in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy.

    Donate to the LWVMO Education Fund–it’s tax deductible!

    Want to be a guest on the podcast or have questions? Email lwvmopodcast@gmail.com
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    9 mins
  • LWVMO Legislative Update: 2026 Session and Legislative Tracking

    LWVMO Legislative Update: 2026 Session and Legislative Tracking
    Jan 5 2026

    We're back! The Legislative Session is off and running. So how does the League of Women Voters decide what to track, what to prioritize, and how to keep up when thousands of bills are moving through the legislature all at once? To help answer that question, we sat down over the holiday break with Dr. Sherry Buchanan-Chair of the Missouri League of Women Voters Legislative Action Committee, for a deep dive into how legislative tracking actually works.


    Missouri Lawmakers introduced over 2,700 bills and resolutions during the 2025 legislative session. Of the 2,700+ bills, only 65 measures were agreed to and sent to Mike Kehoe for approval. They included 16 appropriations (budget) bills, 3 resolutions, and 48 substantive policy bills. The Governor's Legislative Actions Page shows the bills and resolutions on which Mike Kehoe has taken action.


    Resources

    The Governor's Legislative Action Page: Legislative Actions | Governor Mike Kehoe

    League Resources

    League of Women Voters of Missouri: www.lwvmissouri.org

    Register to Vote / check vote registration and more at : Vote411.org

    There is a Local League near you. Get involved or join today to help protect democracy.

    Track Missouri Bills: www.senate.mo.gov | www.house.mo.gov

    The League of Women Voters envisions a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate. We believe in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy.

    Donate to the LWVMO Education Fund–it’s tax deductible!

    Want to be a guest on the podcast or have questions? Email lwvmopodcast@gmail.com
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    47 mins
  • November 4, 2025 Special Election Reminder: Get Out There and Vote!

    November 4, 2025 Special Election Reminder: Get Out There and Vote!
    Nov 2 2025
    TUESDAY, November 4th, IS ELECTION DAYPolling times are from 6 am to 7 pm: Click HERE to use the LWV guide to see if your county is voting, polling center locations, and sample ballots.Local elections may not seem important because there is typically low voter turnout, but they shape our lives daily in an immediate and personal way. From voting access to education to roads, bridges, and utilities, from public safety to immigration, climate change, housing, and zoning, your vote, your voice carries the power to make positive changes in your community. This is a friendly reminder that your vote is your voice, and your voice is your power. Get out there and be heard!Check out the Show notes and Resources below to see if your county has issues on the ballot.Click HERE to see if your county is voting : LWV: Vote 411Click HERE to Verify your voter registrationClick HERE for MO 2026 Election CalendarSample ballots by county (NOT ALL COUNTIES VOTING ARE LISTED)If you don't see your county click here OR visit your local country clerk website for more informationBarry CountyQUESTIONVoters will decide on a Cassville Fire Protection District half-cent sales tax proposal to fund operations, equipment upgrades, and facility improvements for the district.For more information:From SFCC website, dated 8/19/25: SFCC Board votes to place the SFCC Operations Levy on the November 2025 ballotFrom KMMO.com, dated 8/22/25: STATE FAIR CC ASKING VOTERS FOR LEVY INCREASE ON NOVEMBER BALLOTFrom KRMS 97.5 FM, dated 8/21/25: Tax Levy Question Heads To The Voters For State Fair Community CollegeBarton CountyPROPOSITION 1 (BARRY COUNTY)Voters will decide whether to approve the Barton County Proposal to increase the landfill tipping fee from $1.15 per ton to $1.50 per ton. The additional revenue will go exclusively to countywide economic development efforts.For more information:From KSN16 Four States, dated 10/27/25: Barton County voters to decide on landfill tipping fee increasePROPOSITION 1 (BARTON COUNTY AMBULANCE DISTRICT)Voters will decide whether to approve a use tax for the Barton County Ambulace District that matches the local sales tax rate Future rate adjustments made with voter-approved changes. The revenue will help fund emergency medical services, ambulance operations and staffing and equipment upgrades.For more information:From KSN16 Four States, dated 10/30/25: Barton County may hike online tax to fund emergency servicesPROPOSITION 1 (CITY OF LAMAR)Voters will decide on the City of Lamar's proposed $.005 sales tax increase from 8.975% to 9.475% to fund a new aquatic center. The tax would last for 30 years and support both construction and ongoing maintenance.For more information:From KRPS, dated 10/2/25: Aquatic center’s fate in Lamar, Missouri hinges on half-cent sales‑tax increase voteFrom KSN16 Four States, dated 10/30/25: Lamar residents to decide sales tax fate for Aquatic CenterBenton CountyPROPOSITION A-SFCC OPERATIONS LEVYVoters will decide on a proposed $0.10 increase to the operating tax levy for State Fair Community College (SFCC). If passed, the new levy would be $0.4993 per $100.00 of assessed valuation starting in the 2026 tax year.For more information:From SFCC website, dated 8/19/25: SFCC Board votes to place the SFCC Operations Levy on the November 2025 ballotFrom KMMO.com, dated 8/22/25: STATE FAIR CC ASKING VOTERS FOR LEVY INCREASE ON NOVEMBER BALLOTFrom KRMS 97.5 FM, dated 8/21/25: Tax Levy Question Heads To The Voters For State Fair Community CollegeQUESTIONVoters will decide on a proposed 20-year increase to the Morgan County R-1 School District's to fund school improvements, including an athletic complex operating tax levy ceiling to $3.9246 per $100.00 of assessed valuation. If passed, the levy would rise by $0.63 per $100.00 of assessed valuation from 2026 to 2045 and then automatically decrease in 2046.For more information:From the Morgan County R-1 School District website: Sports Complex Tax Levy InformationQUESTIONVoters will decide whether the Wheatland R-2 and Hermitage R-4 school districts will merge into a single, unified district with an operating tax levy of $2.84 per $100.00 of assessed valuation.For more information:Hermitage/Wheatland Merger Tax Facts Document from 1/1/2024Camden CountyQUESTIONVoters will decide on the Macks Creek R-V School District's proposal to authorize issuance of $1.5 million in general obligation bonds to fund facility improvements. This will not increase the current debt service levy, which is estimated to remain at $0.4053 per $100.00 of assessed valuation of real and personal property.For more information:From theMacks Creek R-V School District, dated 10/27/25: November 4th Bond Initiative UpdateCass CountyQUESTION 1Voters will decide on the The City of Harrisonville proposal for a 1.25% city sales tax to fund public safety and emergency services.For more information:The City of Harrisonville, MO website, dated 10/27/25: More information about ...
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    11 mins
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