Missouri Primary Election Tues, Aug 7th: Voter guide - Find your polling place, ballots, candidates, issues

Missouri's primary elections are being held across the state on Tuesday, August 7th, 2012.

"I bicycle/I walk/I run and I vote" is one of the most powerful statement we can make to any elected leader, in our work to make Missouri a better, safer place to walk and bicycle.

I bicycle and I vote!

So whatever your party, whoever your candidates, whatever your issues, please get out and VOTE on Tuesday, August 7th.

MoBikeFed Voter Guide for the August 7th, 2012, Primary Election

Finding your polling place and sample ballot

• Polling places are open 6am to 7pm on Election Day.  You will need some form of ID.  More info and FAQ about voting here. Voter Bill of Rights here.
• Find your sample ballot here - lists your polling place with address, all offices and all candidates, and all ballot issues that will appear on your own ballot.

About Missouri's Primary Elections

• This is a primary election, so you first declare your party: Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or Constitutation Party.  
• You will then be presented with a list of candidates for that party; the winners from each party will meet in the final elections in November
• You can declare any party you wish.  You don't have to choose the party you chose last time, the party you usually vote for, or follow any other rule--by Missouri law, you simply declare to the election official which party's primary you wish to vote in.
• You can also declare "Non-partisan".  That means you will vote only on ballot issues, not any any party's primary candidates.

Information about candidates

• Links to websites of candidates for statewide office and Congress
• Information about Missouri State House of Representatives Candidates 
• Information about Missouri State Senate Candidates
• Put any state or federal candidate's name into the Project VoteSmart search box to find background, biographical information, and links to the candidate's web site.
  • However, DO NOT trust Project VoteSmart's zip code lookup for your legislative districts and candidates!  See below for the reason.

How to find your candidate's names, your US Rep, State Rep, and State Senate District numbers

• BEWARE that many/most district numbers have changed this year in Missouri, thanks to the new census data and re-districting. Your state representative district number is almost certainly changed, and many state senate districts and US representative districts have changes boundaries, too--sometimes by a little and sometimes by a lot.
• So many changes have been made that many web site district look-up tools are out of date.  For instance, don't trust Project VoteSmart's zip code lookup tool to tell you your correct districts!  
• Best way to find our your correct districts: Find your sample ballot on the Missouri Secretary of State web site.  The sample ballot will list your districts and all candidates.  
• Another way: Use the updated 2012 Election district maps at the Missouri Secretary of State's web site.
• Then look up the candidate info using one of the resources above (or just use google).

August 2012 Ballot Issue

• Only one statewide ballot issue is on the August 7th ballot. Consitutional Amendment No. 2 deals with expression of religious beliefs, prayer in the schools, and display of the Constitution and Bill of Rights in schools.
• Example Ballot Language for Constitutational Amendment No. 2.
• Full language of the proposed Constitutational Amendment No. 2.

Local Issues

Many local municipalities will have issues on the ballot.  Some notable issues:

• Springfield's 1/8 cent Transportation Sales Tax is up for renewal--and specifically includes bike/ped language and projects--and three amendments to the City Charter are proposed.
• St Charles County's Proposition R will renew the 1/2 cent transportation sales tax that, unfortunately, does not mention bicycle or pedestrian projects or proposals in any way. More info.
• The Kennett City "replacement sales tax" will fund transportation improvements in the city including sidewalks.
• Kansas City's Question 1 will increase funding for parks and roads while Question 2 will authorize bonds to fund sewer improvements.
• Many other local issues are on the ballot across the state.