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 Questions 1, 2 &3QUESTION 2Voters will decide whether to authorize the City of Harrisonville to impose a motor fuel fee of up to $0.01 per gallon to be paid ty fuel stations, to fund road and street improvements.For more information:The City of Harrisonville, MO website, dated 10/27/25: More information about Questions 1, 2 &3QUESTION 3Voters will decide whether to authorize the City of Harrisonville to issue $82,000,000.00 in revenue bonds for waterworks and sewerage system improvements funded by system revenues.For more information:The City of Harrisonville, MO website, dated 10/27/25: More information about Questions 1, 2 &3Christian CountyPROPOSITION A (for ALL precincts)Voters will decide whether to impose a 1/.5% local use tax on purchases made from out-of-state vendors, including online purchases, to generate revenue for public safety, road maintenance, and county services. The use tax rate will automatically adjust as the county's sales tax rate adjusts.For more information:Citizen Portal, dated 8/27/25: Christian County commissioners place 1.5% local use tax on November ballotSpringfield Daily Citizen, dated:10/27/25 Christian County puts local use tax before votersSpringfield News-Leader, dated 10/13/27: What Christian County voters should know about proposed tax increases on ballotsQUESTION (for precincts within the NIXA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT)Voters will decide on the Nixa Fire Protection District's proposal to authorize an additional $0.25 tax per $100.00 of assessed valuation on real and personal property to fund replacement of ageing equipment, recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, and meeting the demands of increased emergency calls. This will be the district's first operational tax increase in more than 20 years.For more information:Nixa Fire Protection District: Tax Levy QuestionOzarks First, dated 10/27/25: Nixa Fire holds town hall ahead of electionKSMU, dated 10/2/25: Nixa Fire District will put tax levy before voters in November Greene CountyQUESTION 1Voters will decide whether to approve the City of Springfield's proposal to increase the city's lodging tax by 3% from 5% to 8% to help fund a $175 million regional convention and event center. The tax will apply to overnight stays in hotels, motels, and short-term rentals.For more information:Springfield News-Leader, dated 10/22/25: Springfield lodging association officially endorses increased hotel/motel tax Springfield News-Leader, dated 10/12/25: What to know before voting on Springfield lodging tax increase, convention center fundingCity of Springfield, dated 7/28/25: Springfield City Council approves ballot measure to help fund regional event center Hickory CountyQUESTIONVoters 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 1/1/2024Polk CountyQUESTION 1Voters will decide whether to approve the City of Bolivar's proposal to enter into a franchise agreement with Southwest Electrical Cooperative (SWEC), granting it non-exclusive rights to provide electric utility service to Bolivar and its residents, and operate infrastructure within public rights-of-way, lasting 20 years as outlined in Ordinance 4071.For more information:City of Bolivar, MO: Election for Southwest Electric Cooperative Ballot IssueOzarks First, dated 10/27/25: Franchise agreement between Bolivar, Southwest Electric to appear on November ballotSt. Clair CountyQUESTIONVoters will decide whether to approve the City of Osceola's proposal to increase a 0.5% citywide sales tax for public safety initiatives, which may include hiring and retention of qualified employees, upgrading equipment and vehicles, enhancing emergency response capabilities, and improving public safety infrastructure.For more information:City of Osceola: http://www.cityofosceolamo.com/home.html.Stone CountyQUESTIONVoters will decide on the Nixa Fire Protection District's proposal to authorize an additional $0.25 tax per $100.00 of assessed valuation on real and personal property to fund replacement of ageing equipment, recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, and meeting the demands of increased emergency calls. This will be the district's first operational tax increase in more than 20 years.For more information:Nixa Fire Protection District: Tax Levy QuestionOzarks First, dated 10/27/25: Nixa Fire holds town hall ahead of electionKSMU, dated 10/2/25: Nixa Fire District will put tax levy before voters in November Texas CountyROAD AND BRIDGE QUESTIONVoters will decide whether to replace the expiring Capital Improvements sales tax with a new Road and Bridge sales tax in April 2026. This proposed tax would continue the current rate of 0.5% but redirect funds toward township-level infrastructure improvements. This will not increase the overall tax rate.For more information:Texas County: Sales Tax HandbookTexas County website: https://www.texascountymissouri.gov/HOMESTEAD RELIEFVoters may be asked to decide on a ballot measure that would exempt residents from increases in property tax liability on their primary residence. this proposal aims to stabilize property taxes for homeowners amid rising property values.Other ResourcesWhy local elections are critical to our democracy: LWVDown ballot voting and the role of local elections: PBSThe importance of Elections: LWVLearn more about the Redistricting / Gerrymandering Initiative Referendum: People not PoliticiansWorried about Missouri’s Initiative Petition being in jeopardy? Click HERE to learn more about the 2026 Citizen Initiative Overview by Respect MO VotersLeague of Women Voters of Missouri: www.lwvmissouri.orgThere 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.govThe 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 [email protected]

Ver todos los episodios