04/01/24 Missouri Mondays - Your vote is your voice! VOTE Tuesday, April 2! Citizens petitions still under attack! Stop concealed carry on buses and in churches! TAKE ACTION this week!
Welcome to Missouri Mondays!
“Your vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have to create a more perfect union.” – Rep. John Lewis
Honor Rep. Lewis and all those who fought and sacrificed for the right to vote and make your voice heard at the ballot box on Tuesday April 2! Check out the Missouri voter and election resources below to help you plan your vote!
TAKE ACTION this week to protect citizens initiative petitions, stop concealed carry firearms on public transportation and in churches! Find all MOLeg calls to action details below!
Join the Missourians for Constitutional Freedom effort to help restore abortion and reproductive rights in Missouri! There’s a VERY SHORT window for signature gathering so the time is NOW to get involved! Find events online here https://www.mobilize.us/mfcf/ including signature gathering opportunities in Kansas City on Election Day!
THANK YOU for staying informed, taking action, and helping to spread the word by sharing this link to sign up for Missouri Mondays weekly email bit.ly/3pF99Uw.
ACTIONS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
TAKE ACTION WITH THE MISSOURI VOTER PROTECTION COALITION (MOVPC)
TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE
Join the MOVPC weekly online meeting MONDAYS at 10 AM
Text “MOVPC” to 66866 or register HERE: bit.ly/protectmovoters
Your help is needed to protect voting rights and ensure ALL Missourians are able to make their voices heard! MOVPC is a nonpartisan statewide network promoting access to the ballot and working to remove barriers to voting in Missouri! Register for Monday calls here!
MOVPC 2024 Missouri Legislative Tracker
See a breakdown of elections related bills on MOVPC's Voting Rights Legislative Tracker here: bit.ly/movotingbills
DONATE TO MOVPC
Help the non-partisan Missouri Voter Protection Coalition lead the fight against attacks on our freedom to vote in the statehouse, in the courthouse, in the media, in the streets and at the polls on Election Day. Donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/movpc
~~~~~
YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE! MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE TUESDAY, APRIL 2!
APRIL 2, 2024 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION**
**Note: You may not have an April 2 election in your area. Check your local election authority website for detailed voting information.
Election Day: April 2, 2024
Polls Open: 6:00 a.m.
Polls Close: 7:00 p.m.
Last Day to Register: March 6, 2024
In Person Absentee Voting Begins: February 20, 2024
Military & Overseas Portal opens: February 13, 2024
Applications mailed to permanently disabled: February 16, 2024
LAST DAY of No Excuse In Person Absentee (Early) Voting: MONDAY, APRIL 8
Kansas City Early Voting
Monday, April 1: 8am - 5pm
Kansas City Election Board
KCEB at the Shops on Blue Parkway
4407 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64130
Website: https://www.kceb.org/
ATTENTION: IF YOU WANT TO VOTE ABSENTEE IN PERSON OR VOTE A REGULAR BALLOT ON ELECTION DAY YOU WILL NEED TO SHOW A GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PHOTO ID, LIKE A MO DRIVERS LICENSE, STATE ID, MILITARY ID, OR PASSPORT, THAT IS CURRENT OR EXPIRED AFTER NOVEMBER 8TH 2022.
Find your election authority and polling location here : https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/localelectionauthority
Find voting and election information for all Missourians on the Secretary of State’s website here: https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri
ELECTION PROTECTION 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
The national, nonpartisan Election Protection coalition works year-round to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have that vote count. Made up of more than 300 local, state and national partners, Election Protection uses a wide range of tools and activities to protect, advance and defend the right to vote.
To report a problem or for general elections/voting questions call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
~~~~~
TELL YOUR STATE SENATOR TO OPPOSE CHANGES TO THE INITIATIVE PETITION PROCESS IN HOUSE BILL HCS HB 1749
From League of Women Voters Legislative Action - March 31 https://lwvkc.org/content.aspx?page_id=722&club_id=477430&emtid=246282515929&mtid=580132257397&ht=0
Sets up hurdles for the initiative petition (IP) process through multiple administrative actions.
Passed in the House and is now in the Senate and is scheduled for Executive Session, Tuesday, April 2 at 1:00 PM in the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee.
HCS HB 1749 bill summary as Perfected in the House - https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills241/sumpdf/HB1749P.pdf
Require 30 day residency requirement for signature gatherers increases the costs of initiative petition efforts and complicates the process, unreasonably restricting the talent pool of signature gatherers
Add restrictions on residency that excludes recently transferred military to participate in the signature gathering process as well as students and others who move to Missouri and want to contribute immediately
Prohibit signature gatherers from receiving pay per signature is mean-spirited and serves no purpose
TELL MO SENATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO VOTE NO! ON HOUSE BILL HCS HB 1749! Find contact information for committee members here: https://senate.mo.gov/Committees/CommitteeDetails/40
TELL YOUR STATE SENATOR TO OPPOSE CHANGES TO THE INITIATIVE PETITION PROCESS! Find your senator in the Legislator Lookup here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default
~~~~~
TELL THE MO HOUSE GENERAL LAWS COMMITTEE TO OPPOSE CHANGES TO THE INITIATIVE PETITION PROCESS IN SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION SJR 74
From League of Women Voters Legislative Action - March 31 https://lwvkc.org/content.aspx?page_id=722&club_id=477430&emtid=246282515929&mtid=580132257397&ht=0
Weakens Missouri's initiative petition process by adding a concurrent majority of the total votes cast statewide plus a majority of state congressional districts.
Scheduled for Executive Session, Tuesday, April 2 at 11:00 AM in the House Elections and Election Officials Committee.
This bill would give preference or more weight to a vote based on zip code or acreage; each vote should count equally regardless of where you live
A two-condition threshold requirement creates a rule by minority, undermining the will of all Missourians
SJR 74 Bill summary here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=209
The Citizen Initiative Petition process provides for direct participation and Missourians have been able to make their voices heard through this process since 1907
TELL THE MO HOUSE GENERAL LAWS COMMITTEE TO OPPOSE CHANGES TO THE INITIATIVE PETITION PROCESS IN SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION SJR 74
House General Laws Committee Members
Republicans
Rep. Alex Riley 573-751-2210 Chair
Rep. Justin Hicks 573-751-3572 Vice-Chair
Rep. Ben Baker 573-751-9781
Rep. Ron Copeland 573-751-1688
Rep. Brad Hudson 573-751-3851
Rep. Doyle Justus 573-751-9459
Rep. Tony Lovasco 573-751-1484
Rep. Mark Matthiesen 573-751-1470
Rep. Aaron McMullen 573-751-3674
Rep. Jeff Myers 573-751-2689
Rep. Cameron Parker 573-751-3629
Rep. Renee Reuter 573-751-3607
Democrats
Rep. Keri Ingle 573-751-1459 Ranking Minority Member
Rep. Aaron Crossley 573-751-3623
Rep. Ian Mackey 573-751-3859
Rep. Peter Merideth 573-751-6736
Rep. Emily Weber 573-751-4485 Minority Caucus Vice-Chair
TELL YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE TO OPPOSE CHANGES TO THE INITIATIVE PETITION PROCESS! Find your representative in the Legislator Lookup here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default
~~~~~
TELL YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE TO REJECT HCS HB 1708 CONCEALED CARRY FIREARMS ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND IN CHURCHES!
From League of Women Voters Legislative Action - March 31 https://lwvkc.org/content.aspx?page_id=722&club_id=477430&emtid=246282515929&mtid=580132257397&ht=0
Allows concealed carry permit holders to carry firearms on public transportation and in churches
Removes ban on eligibility for a permit if applicant has pled guilty to misdemeanor offenses involving crimes of violence
Lowers the age requirement for concealed carry permits.
Placed back on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Tuesday, April 2.
"...the Second Amendment right is not unlimited. It is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose…” (Former Supreme Court Justice Scalia, 2008 DC vs. Heller)
Missouri has the 7th-highest rate of gun deaths in the US. (CDC)
Gun deaths & injuries cost MO $17.6 billion each year, $455.3 million paid by taxpayers. (EveryStat.org, March 2023)
Bill summary here https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills241/sumpdf/HB1708C.pdf
TELL YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE TO REJECT HCS HB 1708 CONCEALED CARRY FIREARMS ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND IN CHURCHES! Find your senator in the Legislator Lookup here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default
~~~~~
JOIN THE EFFORT TO PUT ABORTION RIGHTS ON THE BALLOT!
Support the work of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom!
Missourians for Constitutional Freedom is a statewide coalition of organizations and concerned citizens from across the state working to establish the right for all Missourians to make decisions about our own reproductive health care – including abortion, birth control, and miscarriage care – without interference from out-of-touch politicians.
We are coming together to end Missouri’s cruel total ban on abortion and give the power to make personal health care decisions back to where it belongs – to the people.
WE HAVE A VERY SHORT WINDOW!! We are required to collect 172,000 valid signatures by May 5th, 2024, to ensure Missourians get to vote on ending our cruel abortion ban at the ballot. Your SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL to make this initiative a reality.
VOLUNTEER: Every action matters. Sign up to collect signatures, make calls, or host a house party. Sign up at https://moconstitutionalfreedom.org/ to receive updates from the campaign and get notified for opportunities to sign the petition near you! Find events near you: https://www.mobilize.us/mfcf/
DONATE: Your donation will directly contribute to kicking politicians out of personal, medical, and family decision making in Missouri. Donate here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/missourians-for-constitutional-freedom-1
Upcoming MCF Events in the Kansas City Area
Missourians for Constitutional Freedom
Kansas City Election Day Signature Gathering
Tuesday April 2
7am, 11am, 3pm
Sign up HERE:https://www.mobilize.us/mfcf/event/614569/
Join Missourians for Constitutional Freedom and collect signatures on Election Day!
NOTE: you must complete the Missourians for Constitutional Freedom Campaign Signature Collection Training before you can collect signatures at this event.
We will be gathering signatures at polling locations. Shifts are 4 hours long: 3 hours canvassing and 1 hour for notarization and turn-in. Training, materials, and polling location assignments will be provided during an in-person orientation on April 1st from 6:00PM - 7:30PM.
Register to take action and gather signatures from Missourians to take back our freedom and put families in charge of personal medical decisions - not politicians.
~~~~~
FIND EVENTS AND MORE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED HERE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19AZUdtRH5WXefOC4Q5D9u-HyuzhBEL8rYX9Ospn3n18/edit?usp=sharing
~~~~~
MISSOURI MONDAYS NEWS SUPPLEMENT!
With so much important news each week we don’t want you to miss a thing! Check out our MISSOURI MONDAYS NEWS SUPPLEMENT here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13cokjWlCh2EkY5K6bM357rjVPizZDzxlMqjAuoBQfoI/edit?usp=sharing
Invvite your friends and neighbors to join us and sign up for Missouri Action Alliance and this Missouri Mondays weekly email at bit.ly/3pF99Uw
Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @MissouriAction, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MOActionAlliance and check out our website at http://www.MOActionAlliance.com
