October 16th
Issue of the Week: Preserve Free and Fair Elections
Summary
Our greatest American Institutions are under attack. We are being told that everything is broken and our nation is a disaster- and we get it 24/7 on every screen we touch. And yet, we are still the strongest country in the world, even though our current leadership is working to diminish that power.
No institution matters in this country more than our voting system. Despite recent claims of election fraud, our voting systems are some of the safest and most accurate in the world.
There have been very few times in our history where our election system needed as much support as it does now. You can help, and here is how:
Preserve Free and Fair Elections
Why do we need to protect elections? What can be done?
While elections laws are set by each state, the local election boards run by an equal number of Democrats and Republicans, ensure that all voters votes will be counted responsibly without bias.
Each election, people from the age of 18 sometimes into their 70s all assemble to be trained and run election day. While machines count votes, paper copies are kept confirming votes. Each cycle, election boards review the last election and come up with ideas to make the process more assessable for legal voters and to protect from fraud. Our elections get more accurate, not less.
We need to work to make sure that people know how election boards keep their votes accurate and safe. If you or someone you know is in doubt, the easiest way to do this is to research your own election board. You can do this online and if you go to their office or call, they will help answer any reasonable question that you have. The bi-partisan workers on election boards are some of the most dedicated people I have ever met. And I love that they get along with each other with the common goal of counting our votes.
You can support this system by treating the people who work the election process with dignity and respect and encourage others to do so as well. Speak up when someone spreads falsehoods, and know the facts on how our system works.
Key 33 Details – Show Me 33
Let’s talk about voting in our district! In Missouri, we are lucky that we can vote in person, or by mail, and have both excused and no-excuse early voting.
Here are some key dates you need to know:
• Excused early voting, (need a reasonable excuse to vote early), started September 22 (Independence Location Only)
• No-excuse early voting starts Tuesday, October 20 ( no reason needed, just vote)
• The last day Absentee-by-mail ballots can be requested Oct 21 (Please request these as soon as possible, and return them by mail as soon as possible)
• Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Polls are open from 6am to 7pm. Any voter in line at 7pm gets to vote.
Also of importance- there are TWO Absentee Voting Locations:
1) Independence: 110 N. Liberty St. Independence, MO 64050
2) Woods Chapel: 500 NE Woods Chapel Rd. Lee’s Summit, MO 64064
Absentee Hours:
· Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
· Saturdays, Oct 24 and Oct 31, 8:30am to 12:30 pm
We will need poll greeters to ask people to vote for us on election day. If you are interested in helping with this, please let us know as soon as possible!
A Better Path Forward & Conclusion
Current leadership is bombarding us with chaos and confusion. Don’t buy it.
Don’t let the chaos and confusion coming from our current leadership distract you.
Generations fought for your right to vote. Honor that right. Exercise it.
I hope over this last year I have earned your trust and your vote. But I also hope you still trust in our democracy as I do. It’s the best way to build a better future for our district and all of Missouri.