Missouri Mondays - Actions and advocacy, April 6 voter deadlines, vaccine sign ups, and more!
It’s Missouri Monday and there’s a lot to cover including calls to action, important dates for the upcoming April 6 election, COVID-19 vaccine sign ups, and more, so let’s get started!
CALL YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND STATE SENATOR about the following bills moving through the MO legislature! Find your electeds by entering your address here: https://house.mo.gov/legislatorlookup.aspx
Tell your Representative to vote NO on HB 1065, HB 738, and HB 842. These bills are an attempt to limit Missouri voters. HB 1065 would establish no-excuse absentee voting but for in-person voters only beginning three weeks before Election Day rather than the current six weeks. Vulnerable citizens such as the elderly or those with chronic health conditions could vote by mail only if they met one of six conditions. It also denies caretakers the right to vote absentee unless they reside in the home of the individual they care for, and it would require a state-issued photo ID to vote. The courts have already found the requirement of a photo-ID to be unconstitutional. HB 738 also requires voters to present a photo ID. Both HB 738 and HB 842 would eliminate electronic voting machines and require paper ballots, which could hamper voting efforts for the disabled as well as delay election results.
Tell your Representative to vote NO on HJR 53 and HB 33, two cruel anti-transgender bills that have been assigned to committees. HJR 53 requires students to participate in sports as the gender they were assigned on their birth certificate. HB 33 prohibits medical treatment of any person under 18 and would require a parent who permitted such treatment be reported for child abuse. The hearing for HB 33 will be held today, Monday, March 8 by the Children and Families Committee at 2 pm in Hearing Room 3. Testimony can be submitted remotely by filling out the form at https://house.mo.gov/WitnessForm/Default.aspx?noticeid=5860
Tell your Senator to vote NO to HB 334 Photo ID bill! HB 334 passed the House and is now in the Senate. “For fifteen years, MO lawmakers have attempted to implement discriminatory photo ID requirements to vote in Missouri. Last year the MO Supreme Court made clear that such measures are unconstitutional and violate our fundamental right to vote. The State’s own data shows that HB 334 stands to burden more than 200,000 Missouri voters who do not have a current state-issued photo ID and would face barriers getting one, disproportionately voters of color, seniors, voters with disabilities, young voters, and low-wage workers.” Tell your Senator to vote NO on HB 334!
Tell your Representative to vote NO on HB 75! HB 75 is set to be voted on Monday, March 8 and upon passage will move to the senate. The bill would limit local public health emergency orders to 15 days and would require subsequent approval for any extensions. Procedures required by the bill could prevent necessary actions by local governments to protect their citizens during public health emergencies that require immediate action.
SAY NO TO RUSH LIMBAUGH DAY!
Senate Bill SB 532 and House Bill HB 1200 seek to designate January 12 as Rush Limbaugh Day in Missouri. Rush Limbaugh was a source of divisiveness and hate and it would be a disgrace and an embarrassment to our state to have a day named for him.
TELL THESE STATE LAWMAKERS TO VOTE NO ON SB 532 AND HB 1200!
KC-area Senators - NO on SB 532!
Sen. Lauren Arthur - 573-751-5282
Sen. Greg Razer - 573-751-6607
Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer - 573-751-2183
KC-area Representatives - NO on HB 1200!
Rep. Ashley Aune - 573-751-3618
Rep. Ashley Bland Manlove - 573-751-2124
Rep. Chris Brown - 573-751-9458
Rep. Richard Brown - 573-751-7639
Rep. Ingrid Burnett - 573-751-3310
Rep. Michael Davis - 573-751-2175
Rep. Michael Johnson - 573-751-0538
Rep. Patty Lewis - 573-751-2437
Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern - 573-751-4787
Rep. Sean Pouche - 573-751-6593
Rep. Wes Rogers - 573-751-2199
Rep. Mark Sharp - 573-751-9469
Rep. Emily Weber - 573-751-4485
Rep. Yolanda Young - 573-751-3129
Missouri Voter Protection Coalition (MOVPC) statement on U.S. House passage of H.R. 1 For the People Act
“In the midst of unprecedented attacks on the right to vote, we applaud the House for passing H.R 1, to give voice to Missouri voters. Missouri voters need reform now. Missouri is far behind the curve in access to the ballot compared to other states. Missouri voters are hampered by limited absentee voting options, notary requirements, lack of early voting, antiquated voter registration tracking, ongoing attempts to enshrine unconstitutional photo ID requirements and other barriers that make voting more difficult and deter participation, especially for voters of color and Missouri’s most marginalized citizens.
The For the People Act addresses these barriers. It includes reforms that Republican and Democrat election officials in Missouri have long advocated, such as no-excuse absentee voting. It would streamline voter registration. It would ensure fairer maps. For the People Act will modernize Missouri’s elections and move Missouri closer to the mainstream of election administration practices nationwide. The prioritization of S.1 in the Senate is critical to moving towards a more inclusive democracy where all voices can be heard.”
“We call on Missouri Senators Blunt and Hawley to move swiftly to advance the For the People Act in the Senate to make our democracy more just, fair and equitable, and give a much-needed voice to all Missouri’s voters.”
Email Sen. Blunt - https://www.blunt.senate.gov/contact/contact-roy
Email Sen. Hawley - https://www.hawley.senate.gov/contact-senator-hawley
Join Missouri Voter Protection Coalition Zoom meeting TODAY MON MARCH 8 at 10am to learn more about the campaign to Ensure Voting in Missouri Amid the COVID-19 Crisis and beyond. Text MOVPC to 66866 to sign up!
IMPORTANT DATES FOR APRIL 6 ELECTION!
Election Day: April 6, 2021
Polls Open: 6:00 a.m.
Polls Close: 7:00 p.m.
LAST DAY TO REGISTER: MARCH 10, 2021
In Person Absentee Voting Begins: February 23, 2021
Military & Overseas Portal opens: February 19, 2021
Applications mailed to permanently disabled: February 9, 2021
March is Women’s History Month!
Here are a few ways to celebrate!
International Women’s Day March 8 at 1pm CST - Hillary Clinton joins Washington Post opinions writer Jonathan Capehart - Secretary Hillary Clinton is one of the world’s most dedicated champions of women’s rights. As a former secretary of state, U.S. senator, first lady, and presidential candidate, Clinton leveled the playing field for women in leadership, and her message of progress and resilience continues to inspire the next generation. Register HERE and stream here: wapo.st/hillaryclinton
International Women’s Day March 8 - RSVP for the National Women’s History Museum special film screening of And She Could Be Next (episode 1 of 2), including live Q&A with the filmmakers. RSVP HERE! And She Could Be Next tells the story of a defiant group of women of color—candidates and organizers—who are transforming politics from the ground up. Filmed throughout 2018 and into 2019, by a team of women filmmakers of color, the two-part miniseries features a dynamic slate of history-makers including: Stacey Abrams (GA), Rashida Tlaib (MI), Lucy McBath (GA), Veronica Escobar (TX), Maria Elena Durazo (CA), and Bushra Amiwala (IL). And She Could Be Next asks whether democracy itself can be preserved—and made stronger—by those most marginalized. Join the filmmakers afterwards for a live Q&A session with the audience. RSVP HERE for March 8 Episode 1 And She Could Be Next and please join us for the second episode screening on March 15th (separate registration required).
Find more events celebrating the vital role of women in American history:
MO COVID VACCINE UPDATE
Governor Parson announced last week that Missouri will transition to Phase 1B, Tier 3 in its vaccine distribution plan starting March 15. This tier includes "critical infrastructure" classified as those people that are a part of "keeping the essential functions of society running." https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/priority/Phase1b/#phase1b-2 The good news is that teachers, educators, childcare employees, and grocery store employees will be able to start receiving vaccines. However the reality is that the urban areas of the state are not receiving doses proportionate to their populations which means they are still working on Phase 1B, Tier 2. Here in Kansas City the majority of vaccines will be distributed to some of our major health systems including HCA, Saint Luke’s Health System, and Truman Medical Centers. The Biden administration will be sending additional doses directly to select pharmacies - some Walmart/Sam’s and Health Mart Systems pharmacies may receive the vaccine. If you are in Phase 1A, 1B Tier 1& 2, you currently qualify for the vaccine. You can view the tier levels here - https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/priority/ If you qualify and would like to get your vaccine, call your primary care provider, your local pharmacy, and reach out to one of the health systems that has been deemed a high throughput allocation site. For more information on the states vaccination plan, please visit https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/. Please note that many of the vaccination distribution sites have not received vaccines or do not have contact information. COVID NAVIGATOR - https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/navigator/ is a secure registry tool to assist Missourians in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. You can also call the COVID-19 hotline at 877-435-8411 for registration assistance. TRUMAN WAIT LIST SIGNUP - https://www.trumed.org/forms/covid-19-vaccine-wait-list/ 816-404-CARE HCA WAIT LIST SIGNUP - https://researchmedicalcenter.com/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine-information/covid-19-vaccine-distribution.dot WALMART WAIT LIST SIGNUP - https://www.walmart.com/cp/1228302 SAM’S CLUB WAIT LIST SIGN UP - https://www.samsclub.com/pharmacy HEALTHMART SIGN UP - https://scrcxp.pdhi.com/Portal/Member/d1e1f5d5-007f-4167-b8d1-1ea83cb3b215 HY-VEE SIGN UP - https://www.hy-vee.com/my-pharmacy/covid-vaccine OPERATION SAFE/CLAY COUNTY (NKC & LIBERTY HOSPITALS) -https://clayhealth.jotform.com/210138520201032 SAMUEL U. RODGERS HEALTH CENTER COVID-19 VACCINE WAITLIST - https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=WYw-ckSF30ei2eXLBBAfJSZy6fvP_mhBpLKAX9-FudlUNko2VDFBWEtMSVIyQlo0NUJXTko2RlZUTCQlQCN0PWcu CITY OF INDEPENDENCE EVENT - MUST BE IN CURRENT TIER MAR 8TH - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090445AEA92AA6F85-independence3 MAR 11TH - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090445AEA92AA6F85-independence4 MAR 12TH - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090445AEA92AA6F85-independence5 MASS VACCINATION EVENTS SIGN UP: https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/events/. PROVIDERS WHO CURRENTLY HAVE VACCINES ON HAND - You will be able to view a map and look up local, approved vaccinators - https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/map/. The MO Advisory Committee on Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution meets weekly on Thursdays @ 1 pm virtually. The meetings are open to the public and posted on the DHSS site here: https://health.mo.gov/information/publicnotices/meetings.php Please continue to contact your state representative or senator, the Governor, and the MDHSS if you have concerns with the vaccine roll out or issues with scheduling your vaccine: Governor Michael L. Parson Telephone: (573) 751-3222 Email link: https://governor.mo.gov/contact-us Randall W. Williams, MD, FACOG, Director Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Telephone: (573) 751-6400 Email: info@health.mo.gov Upcoming COVID testing sites in our area can be found here: https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/health/coronavirus-covid-19-kcmo-information-and-response/covid-19-testing-locations
MO Dept of Health and Senior Services reports as of Sat March 6 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Missouri rose to 480,643 and the total confirmed deaths rose to 8,161. The New York Times database reports as of March 7 at least 520,354 cases and 8,606 deaths in Missouri since the beginning of the pandemic.
Although new COVID-19 cases are decreasing this is far from over. Please sign up to get your COVID-19 vaccine, continue to social distance, wash your hands, and always wear your mask in public!
THANK YOU! for answering the Missouri Mondays CALL TO ACTION!
Invite your friends and neighbors to join us and sign up for Indivisible Missouri and this Missouri Mondays email at indivisiblemo.com/signup
