Folks, the only Missouri news in this newsletter is the election. With less than four days until November 3, let's be honest: the only stories that really matter right now are our candidates, the amendments, and Prop A.
There will be plenty of time after Election Day to share the latest political drama, legislative fights, and whatever fresh hell Trump dumps on us. Right now, none of that is as important as making sure voters have the information they need before they cast a ballot. Every conversation with a neighbor, every social media post, every text message, every yard sign, and every shared article helps get information in front of voters who may still be making up their minds about the candidates and ballot measures. We all know that elections are decided by the people who show up.
The finish line is finally in sight. So let's finish strong. Keep sharing information about our candidates. Keep talking about the amendments. Have that one extra conversation and keep educating voters about Proposition A. Most importantly, keep reminding people that voting isn't something that happens on social media. It happens at the ballot box. Four days. Let's make them count.
And to help amplify our Get Out The Vote efforts in these final days, the Rural Caucus purchased three 60-second radio spots through Carter Media on KMZU, airing Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday. While our social media reach continues to really grow, we wanted to make sure we're reaching voters wherever they get their information - whether that's on social media, at the coffee shop, or listening to the radio on the way to work or plowing the fields.
And for you to share: Missouri's main nonpartisan voter assistance hotline is 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). Voters can call or text this number if they encounter problems at the polls, have questions about voter ID, registration, polling locations, absentee voting, or believe their voting rights are being violated. The hotline is staffed by trained election protection volunteers and attorneys. Remember: If you're in line when the polls close at 7:00 p.m., stay put. Missouri voters in line when the polls close have the right to vote. By the way, that is one of our ads.
Missouri News - Ok...we lied...there IS a bit more
What?! There are gaps in how the state collected the data, including information required by law that remains unavailable? The hell ya' say: First MOScholars performance report exposes gaps in state oversight • Missouri Independent.
This great article contains a lot of information: Final pitch over Missouri abortion ban turns to fight over voter power • Missouri Independent. We noticed Andrew Bailey showed up - like a bad penny.
We're gonna hear more stories like this: Rural Missouri schools say new state grading system could hit them hardest.
Hoskins’s job as secretary of state was ensuring that Missouri has fair and free elections. Instead, he engaged in some of the most cynical, undemocratic behavior imaginable and ended up disenfranchising an entire state: Unprecedented legal battle leaves Missouri congressional results uncertain. Come Nov. 3rd, he'll experience the FO part of FA.
National News
With all the Republican pearl-clutching over election integrity, ERIC was the single organization best equipped to help states ensure exactly that. And suddenly MAGA Republicans - including Missouri - wanted nothing to do with it: States Already Have a Good Way to Ensure Election Integrity—and MAGA Hates It – Mother Jones
Trump's war with Iran has now cost American taxpayers $47.1 billion, according to a new Pentagon estimate. Here's a breakdown of that spending, including $6 billion tied to equipment losses: Iran war's cost to American taxpayers grows to an estimated $47.1 billion | ksdk.com. According to Moody's Analytics, the Iran war has cost the average U.S. household about $2,000 so far, with roughly $1,100 of that tied to higher energy costs. Let's see... that might be a couple of months worth of groceries, a property tax bill, car repairs, or a family emergency fund. Instead, it went up in smoke at the gas pump and into another Trump-made crisis.
Hegseth's latest firing removes yet another top military strategist. In total, that makes 25 generals, admirals, and senior military leaders who have now been forced out: Pete Hegseth ousts top military strategist Brett Sylvia. This is straight out of Project 2025, folks - consolidate the military with loyal "yes" personnel and push out anyone who says "no." It's hard to imagine this isn't affecting morale, and it's happening at a time when the U.S. is already dealing with Trump’s war with Iran. OH! Trump thought Lt. Gen. Sylvia was a woman when asked: Trump, 80, Humiliated Over Gender of Fired Army General.
Sen. Chris Murphy, who was briefed on Trump’s plans to launch intense strikes on Iran after the midterm elections, has warned that the attacks are slated to be so horrific that they will lead to the “destruction” of the U.S.’s “commitment to the rule of law”Senator Briefed on Trump’s Iran War Plans Warns of “Devastating Escalation” | Truthout.
JD Vance's political donor network, Rockbridge, is being investigated by Brazilian authorities over allegations it helped bankroll Flávio Bolsonaro's presidential run: Was This JD Vance Group Trying to Fund Bolsonaro? Brazil Wants to Know. The day the Brazilian Supreme Court opened the investigation, Bolsonaro headed to the US: Flávio Bolsonaro Flees to Miami After Brazil Election Loss, Defying Court Order.
Trump is rolling back methane-leak rules, meaning oil companies get a pass to release one of the most planet‑heating gases on Earth. Biden’s tougher standards were designed to plug leaks from wells and pipelines, a major driver of climate change: Trump administration wants to remove regulations on a super planet-heating gas : NPR. Scaling them back now is a hell of a deal for industry. They keep the profits, and the rest of us get stuck with more pollution, more heat, and fewer ways to do anything about it.
Voting advocates filed a motion Thursday to block the federal policy on compiling voter data lists that the Trump administration claims might identify noncitizens: Pro-voters seek immediate block to government policy that created voter data lists - Democracy Docket and Democrats asked a federal judge Monday night for a restraining order and temporary injunction to halt President Donald Trump and his administration from interfering in the upcoming midterms: Democrats ask for immediate block on Trump’s election interference schemes - Democracy Docket. If there's one website worth bookmarking, it's Democracy Docket. They do an excellent job tracking the lawsuits, court decisions, and election disputes that multiply by the day.
Other News
With voters focused on health care costs as a top affordability concern, what will the results of the midterm elections mean for health care going forward? On November 5 at 11 AM CT, KFF will host a special post-election discussion and live "What the Health?" KFF experts and journalists will provide analysis and insights about what the election results could mean for health policy. Register: Webinar Registration - Zoom
For many Native American communities, voting isn't as simple as driving a few minutes to a polling place or dropping off a ballot at the county clerk's office. In some reservation areas, voters already face 100+ mile drives, limited transportation, and unreliable mail service. Native Civic Power Initiative is trying to change all that: Get Out the Vote Toolkit | Native Civic Power Initiative.
In closing...
Remember to set your clocks back on November 1st - then set our country forward on November 3rd.
Joshua Dunne
Chair
Jacqueline Farr
Vice-Chair
John Parks
Treasurer
