Next week is busy for voters across the nation, but especially for some Pattonville students. On Monday, November 4, Pattonville will hold a mock election for all ballot issues except judge retainments. Additionally, on Tuesday, November 5, the nation holds its national election. Here is a breakdown of all the issues voters will see on the ballots this year.
You will see the president and vice president issue. Other than the obvious duties these two serve, it is important to note that the vice president also serves as the president of the Senate, able to cast a tie-breaking vote. Your candidates are Donald Trump and JD Vance (R), Kamala Harris and Tim Walz (D), Chase Oliver and Mike Ter Maat (L), and, Jill Stein and Rudolph Ware (G).
Additionally, you will see the Senate race, which is the same across Missouri. The candidates will go to the US Capitol to represent Missouri. Your candidates are the Incumbent Josh Hawley (R), Lucas Kunce (D), W.C. Young (L), Jared Young (B), and Nathan Kline (G).
US representatives vary by zip code. You can check who is your representative here. They will serve in the House of Representatives for a 2-year term.
Our governor is retiring at the end of his term and his seat is up for election. He is the head of the executive branch for Missouri, allowing them to grant clemency and sign state bills into law. Your candidates are Mike Kehoe (R), Crystal Quade (D), Bill Slantz (L), and Paul Lehmann(G).
The Lieutenant Governor takes up the mantle if the governor resigns or dies. Your candidates are Dave Wasinger (R), Richard Brown (D), Ken Iverson (L), and Danielle (Dani) Elliott (G).
The Secretary of State regulates elections in Missouri and verifies petitions for initiatives. Your candidates are Denny Hoskins (R), Barbara Phifer (D), Carl Herman Freese (L) and Jerome Bauer (G).
The State Treasurer handles the state’s money and enforces state taxes. Your candidates are the incumbent Vivek Malek (R), Mark Osmack (D), John A. Hartwig, Jr. (L), and Reagan Haase (G).
The Attorney General heads the Missouri Justice Department and decides what gets prosecuted and to what severity. Your candidates are Andrew Bailey (R), Elad Jonathan Gross (D), and Ryan L. Munro (L).
State Representatives go to the Missouri House, mirroring the House of Representatives on a state level. You can find your state representative here.
The County Council regulates county ordinances and bond issues on a local level.
State Constitutional Amendment #2 is an amendment to the Missouri Constitution that allows sports gambling in Missouri and dedicates the tax revenue to primary education.
State Constitutional Amendment #3 amends the Missouri Constitution allowing for protections to reproductive health care such as abortions, contraceptives such as condoms, and birth control.
State Constitutional Amendment #5 allows Missouri Game Commission to issue one additional gambling boat license, for a boat in the Osage River.
State Constitutional Amendment #6 amends the Missouri constitution to issue additional court fees for law enforcement’s salaries and benefits.
State Constitutional Amendment #7 amends the Constitution of the state of Missouri to change election guidelines. Namely, banning ranked choice voting, requires candidates who won their primaries to be the only person able to be listed under that party’s name. (I.E. Joe Biden would be on the ballot instead of Kamala Harris if it were in effect before the November 5 election.) It also only allows US citizens to vote in elections, something already outlined in the US Constitution.
Missouri Proposition A changes the state minimum wage from $13.75/h and provides a minimum of 1 week of sick leave, increasing it by a dollar for each year until 2025, at which point it will be $15.00/h. It will also adjust the minimum wage according to the Consumer Price Index each year starting in January 2027 and allow regulation by the Dept. of Labor. None of these changes would apply to government workers.
St Louis County Proposition A allows for the county council aldermen to nominate a representative to the port authority board for their district.
St Louis County Proposition C allows for the county council to retain legal representation for government acts and separation of powers. The legal council will not report to the County Executive.
St Louis County Proposition O changes start dates for council members from January 1 to the first Tuesday of January, allowing the new council to decide the council chair rather than the outgoing council.
This is a reminder for our voting-age community members to check their voter registration status before November 5th! You can check that here. Make sure to bring a state-issued ID (a driver’s license works). While you can vote at any polling place, it is always useful to know where your assigned polling place. You can find this here.
