November 2, 2018

Understanding Jackson County Questions on November 6 Ballot

Many citizens have found the questions on the November 6 ballot about the changes to the Jackson County Charter to be confusing. We reached out to our county legislators and asked for them to help us understand and so far have received only one reply, from Third District Legislator Tony Miller. We are thankful that he pointed us to a page on his website where he writes:

"I have been fielding questions from my constituents about the Charter Amendment Questions that will be on the ballot on November 6, 2018. I encourage people to consider these proposed changes in the context of public policy and not personality.  I will be voting “No” on these questions, as presented, for many reasons.  Although I respect my colleagues who have pushed these proposals, I do not think these amendments, if adopted, are in the public interest for many substantive reasons.  Here are a few for consideration:

-Should elected officials give themselves pay raises and how much will it cost tax payers?

-Should the Legislature be limiting who can run for office, generally, other than fitness for office questions?

-Should the Legislature be term limiting people like the Prosecutor and Sheriff when continuity is important in law enforcement?

-Should the Legislature keep people from other levels of government from running for County offices, but exclude themselves from this prohibition?

-Should the Legislature take powers away from the Executive branch such as taking away the Line Item Veto from the Executive?

-Should the Legislature make it easier to fire the County Counselor?

The most effective way for me to communicate with folks about the proposed amendments is to post the documents themselves as you will find below. Read the ordinance that shows the actual changes to the Charter and then compare what will actually happen to the Charter to how the questions are presented on the ballot.  Well intentioned people might go into the voting booth thinking that they are doing one thing, and end up doing something completely different.  You don’t have to take my word for it though.  Have a look for yourself:

Proposed Charter Amendments - Tony Miller, Jackson County Legislature, 3rd District At-Large

November 1, 2018

Absentee Voting in Jackson County

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ: (Kansas City voters click here for information -- the following is for Independence/Eastern Jackson County Voters)
As of this writing, the weather forecast for Election Day shows a high temperature of 52° with a chance of rain. The ballot is very long, taking 10 to 20+ minutes to complete. If standing in line outside of a polling place for a long period of time will be a problem for you, or if you won't be in town on Election Day please cast an Absentee Ballot as soon as possible.
Absentee voting is taking place at the Jackson County Election Board at 215 N. Liberty on the Independence Square on Friday and Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.
There's been a tremendous turnout for absentee voting according to workers -- expect to wait in line inside the building (but the line moves quickly). Must have ID.
KANSAS CITY VOTERS PLEASE VISIT https://www.kceb.org/ FOR ABSENTEE VOTING LOCATIONS.