No changes after Crawford County recount

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kans. — After failing to pass during the Primary Election, several counties in Kansas are recounting the votes for the Value Them Both Amendment. It was voted down in Crawford County, and that outcome did not change after a recount of close to 11,000 votes. The process wrapped up today.

On Monday, the Secretary of State’s Office ordered a recount for 9 counties. Crawford county was the only local one. The process was overseen by a bi-partisan board made up of an equal amount of both Democrats and Republicans.

“I think that people are wanting to make sure elections are safe and secure in Kansas, and we welcomed the opportunity to do this because we wanted to prove that Crawford County does elections the way we’re supposed to, we’re safe and secure and our numbers will agree with that.”Lisa Lusker, Crawford County Clerk

The recount for the other counties must be completed by no later than Saturday.

Zoom Q&A with MO U.S. Senate Candidate

MO US Senate Candidate-Trudy Busch Valentine 2

KSNF/KODE — One Missouri candidate running for an open U.S. Senate seat speaks to voters in Southwest Missouri via webcam.

Tonight (8/17), the Southwest Missouri Democrats held a virtual town hall meeting, over the video chat service “Zoom.”

Taking questions tonight was Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine.

She’s running for an open U.S. Senate seat in Missouri, which will be vacated by Roy Blunt.

During the 20-minute session, approximately 30 people joined in virtually to ask the candidate a question, or just listen to what she had to say.

On Valentine’s campaign website, her motto states, “I’m running to put politics aside and put people first.”

During tonight’s Zoom town hall, we asked Valentine how she plans to put that motto into action, if elected.

“I want to be able to work with everybody. I want the Democrats to work well with each other. I want us to be able to cross party lines and start talking to each other. And then, instead of all this stuff where everyone keeps hating each other, we’ve got to be adults and be able to sit down, have fun and talk to each other, because that’s the way we will be able to start working better together,” said Trudy Busch Valentine, (D) MO U.S. Senate Candidate.

During the midterm elections this November, Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine faces Republican Eric Schmitt and Independent candidate, John Wood.

Today is Poll Worker Recruitment Day

JASPER COUNTY, Mo. — You’ve probably heard just how important it is to take part in elections and cast a vote. But today, the focus is on those workers who staff your polling place. It’s National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, prompted by a national group focused on voting rights.

In Jasper County alone, it takes more than 180 workers to run an election. Polling hours there run from 6 A.M. to 7 P.M. – time they are paid for. But County workers say it can still be a struggle to find enough workers.

“It’s a long day but they’re always appreciated because we have to have poll workers for each election and we’re always needing more,” said Patty Moss, Jasper Co. Election OFC.

You can find out more about signing up to be a poll worker but contacting your local election office.

Army Vet Jack Truman: Missouri's unopposed candidate

NEVADA, Mo. — A candidate for Missouri’s 4th Congressional District seat is in the midst of quite the tour. Lamar-native Jack Truman is touring the District’s 24 counties between now and November 8th. We caught up with him during his campaign stop, in Nevada. The 56-year-old was unopposed in last week’s Democratic Primary.

“My campaign slogan is ‘For the people.’ I’m not a politician. I’ve never been in a political office, and I think it’s going to take a regular person, who has nothing to do with politics, who’s open-minded, to go to Washington and help shake things up,” said Truman.

Truman is making his 4th bid for Congress. He’s an army veteran as well as an actor and filmmaker, and a 1994 graduate of Missouri Southern. The 4th congressional race on November 8th also includes Randy Langkraehr, and former Kansas City Television Anchor Mark Alford.

The seat has been occupied since 2011 by Vicky Hartzler, who was unsuccessful in her run for U.S. Senate.

Future of MO marijuana and more on upcoming ballot

MISSOURI — The November election will feature a long list of races for local voters to decide. And in Missouri, that will include four statewide questions, with marijuana topping the list.

Marijuana is legal in Missouri, with restrictions. But that could be changing.

“In November, we’re going to have the ballot issue for recreational marijuana or adult use in Missouri,” said Alex Williams, MO Made Marijuana Sec.

It would allow anyone 21 or older to buy and use marijuana. It’s a change Alex Williams with Missouri Made Marijuana supports.

“Currently, we’re a medical state where patients can you know, they go through a doctor to come get medical marijuana. However, if the rules change, you know, it could be where anybody would be able to come potentially purchase marijuana. I think it’s great for Missouri,” said Williams.

But that’s not all. A second ballot question would expand how the state of Missouri invests its savings.

“Another one is moving the Missouri National Guard which is currently under the Department of Public Safety – moving it back to its own department. Which is what it used to be years ago,” said Charlie Davis, Jasper Co. Clerk.

The fourth and final question would raise the minimum funding for a police force established by a state board of police commissioners – something that would affect Kansas City policing.

“I believe one of the most important things that our founding fathers wanted of our citizens is to be an educated electorate. We ask people research the things that are going to be on the ballot. They’re kind of complicated. There are ramifications to some dealing with finances etc. But the most important thing is read what’s going to be on the ballot long before election day, study it get to know it,” said Davis.

They’ll all show up on the November 8th Ballot.

Jasper County voter turnout beat expectations

CARTHAGE, Mo. — More than 20,000 voters cast a ballot in Jasper County yesterday. That averages out to nearly 25% of registered voters in the county, a total that beat expectations going into the August primary.

Jasper County Clerk Charlie Davis says it’s good to see that level of participation, especially after the county set a new voting record in the Presidential Election in 2020.

“Normal turnout is sub-20% in these elections, maybe 21%. But we had 24.97% of the people turned out. So if you take the actual number of active voters – that’s probably more in the range of 35% of the people. Which is huge for an August election. So kudos to the citizens of Jasper County that got out and voted,” he said.

Davis pointed out there were a couple of big tax issues on the ballot, including a Public Safety Tax vote in Joplin and a Performing Arts Center Bond in Carthage. He says those likely contributed to a higher than normal turnout.

New voting location in Lamar

LAMAR, Mo. — There has been a change to a voting location in Lamar.

Residents voting in Wards 1 and 2 are now casting their ballots at the Barton County Memorial Park Office.

It’s located on the corner of W. 2nd St. and Gulf St.

Residents had been voting at the National Guard Armory but city officials said staffing issues at the armory prompted the move.

The Memorial Park Office will also be the voting site for Wards 1 and 2 in future elections.

What would Joplin's Prop Public Safety do?

JOPLIN, Mo. — One of the biggest issues before Joplin voters is the Public Safety Tax question.

Voters are being asked to authorize a tax not to exceed $1.00 on the $100.00 of assessed valuation for municipal public safety purposes.

By voting ‘yes,’ residents are saying they would support an increase in property taxes that would generate up to $9-million for the sole purpose of hiring more police officers and fire fighters, increasing their wages, building a new fire station and equipping it, and hiring support staff.

By voting ‘no,’ property taxes would stay the same and it would be up to the City Council and other Joplin leaders to figure out how to not only hire the more than 40 officers needed to support Joplin’s call volume and workload, but also keep them on staff.

This would be a new tax not currently collected by the City and would be in addition to what’s currently collected by the County.

“The simplest way to look at this is if you look at your property tax and your real estate tax you just paid from last year and increase it by 20-percent. That’s if things remain the same the coming year, a 20-percent increase is what you can calculate that the passage of Proposition Public Safety as a cost will be to an individual,” said Mike Seibert, Citizens for Proposition Public Safety Co-Chair.

Seibert adds it will be easy to track the money collected from this tax if it’s approved. He said the first salary increases will take effect November 1st, which will take up a big sum of the money.

Mo. voters reminded of redistricting changes ahead of Primaries

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Absentee voting in Jasper County has seen a significant increase over the past week.

Jasper County Clerk Charlie Davis says they’re now on track to either match or exceed the number of early ballots from both 2020 and 2018.

Something to keep in mind for voters ahead of the August 2nd Primary: Some district maps have changed. The State of Missouri was statutorily required to redistrict after the census. So, while polling places may not have changed for some voters — their State Representatives have.

“And that’s exactly what is gonna happen. People in certain areas, primarily on the outer sides of Joplin, Carthage, Oronogo, Webb City, Carl Junction, that would’ve changed quite a bit over the last 10 years, so because of redistricting there may be some people that are in new house districts than they were during the last election cycle,” said Davis.

The polls are open tomorrow in Missouri from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

You can search online for your specific polling place and specific district information by following this link here.

Missouri absentee voting continues

JOPLIN, Mo. — Election day is just a few days away and there are still opportunities to cast your ballot ahead of time.

In Missouri, absentee ballots have been available for weeks and can still be cast through Monday night.

The Jasper County Clerk will offer special voting hours this Saturday for voters who can’t make it Monday through Friday.

Both the Carthage and Joplin offices will be open from 8 AM to 12 PM.

Missouri still requires a reason for voting ahead of time but that will soon change.

“There will be a difference in the November election because the governor signed the bill that allowed no-excuse absentee voting for two weeks prior to the election, so anybody can come in for any reason and vote absentee,” said Charlie Davis, Jasper Co. Clerk.

Kansas voters also have the option of advance voting ahead of the August 2nd primary, check with your county clerk for hours.

Of course, we’ll have the latest election results on the day itself both on the air and here on our website.