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Complete census counts in Kansas, Missouri marred by COVID-19 and changing deadlines
For six days a week throughout August and September, Cindy Hoedel went door-to-door across mostly rural Kansas counties — sometimes covering over 200 miles in a day — to find out how many people lived in a given address on April 1. But as a Census worker, Hoedel’s biggest challenge wasn’t in the rural areas […]
After days of waiting, Kansas City residents react to Joe Biden’s projected win over Donald Trump
After a grueling campaign season, marred by a pandemic and made even more stressful by days spent waiting for votes to be counted in several battleground states, Kansas City voters who spoke with The Beacon said they felt a variety of emotions.
In their words: Kansas City voters on the unprecedented 2020 Election
On Nov. 3, thousands of registered voters in Kansas and Missouri turned out to polling places to cast their ballot for crucial races, from the presidency to local races and statewide ballot initiatives. Even COVID-19 could not deter many voters from making sure their voice was heard — in Kansas City, Missouri, COVID-positive voters experienced […]
COVID-positive voters in Kansas City face hours-long wait times on Election Day
Despite relatively short waits at most polling locations across the Kansas City metro, COVID-positive voters in Kansas City, Missouri — who were encouraged to use curbside voting at Union Station — are waiting hours to cast their ballots. Cedric Schofield and his wife originally planned to wake up at 6:30 a.m. this morning to vote […]
Live Coverage: Election Day 2020
After a long and tumultuous election season, shaped by an unprecedented pandemic and mass protests against racism and police violence, Election Day is finally here. Millions have already cast their vote for president and other statewide and local races, and more are expected to turn up at the polls today to vote in person. Today, […]
Election Day: Everything you need to know
With Election Day just one day away, we know voters still have qusetions about the voting process and how they can make sure their vote will count. On Friday, Oct. 30, The Beacon’s Celisa Calacal was joined by four local voting experts to answer common questions about voting in Missouri and Kansas.
Disenchanted by the major parties, young Kansas voters are more likely to register as independents
Through an analysis of Kansas voter registration data, The Beacon found that unaffiliated voters in Kansas, also known as independents, make up 38% of voters under the age of 40 — the largest portion of any party within that age range.
Transportation can be a barrier for some Kansas City voters. Here’s how to get to the polls.
Before the June election this year, the Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners decided to change the locations and reduce the number of in-person polling places. The goal? To have enough election judges available and include larger polling sites for more social distancing.
Safe at home? Missouri law fails to safeguard some abuse survivors who register to vote
The Safe at Home program — especially for registered voters — lacks a basic safeguard provided in many other states, including Kansas: Complete exclusion from public voter data. Furthermore, if a person registered to vote before enrolling in Missouri’s program, their information isn’t scrubbed once they do.
Is a ‘blue wave’ coming for Kansas? Here’s what the data says
In Kansas, the share of registered Democrats grew from about 25% in January 2017 to 27% of registered voters by September 2020, or about 62,000 voters, The Beacon found. In that same period, the Republican share of the electorate remained at about 45%.
‘It’s either this or nothing’: For people with disabilities in Kansas City, voting isn’t always accessible
When Darla Wilkerson went to absentee vote in person for the upcoming election, she noticed a large sign on the floor in the doorway reminding everyone to socially distance and wear their masks. But the sign was difficult for voters with disabilities, like limited vision, to maneuver around, impeding the accessibility of the polling site. […]
For trans and nonbinary voters, photo ID requirements can discourage participating in elections
In Kansas and Missouri, legal name changes and gender marker alterations can be long, tedious and costly processes, discouraging many trans and nonbinary voters from casting a ballot and barring the most financially disadvantaged from participating in elections altogether.
Young Kansans could prove to be a powerful voting bloc on Election Day
Voter registration among 18- to 24-year-olds is up in many states across the country, according to a report from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University. This trend runs true in Kansas, where as of the end of September, voter registration among Kansans ages 18-24 was up 28% from November 2016.
Are you an ‘inactive voter’ in Missouri? Here’s what that means.
More than 30,000 registered voters within the Kansas City, Missouri, election jurisdiction are classified as inactive voters — otherwise registered voters who the local election authority was unable to locate or get in contact with before Election Day.
What questions do you have about voting on Election Day?
We know these are tough times — the country is still experiencing the raging COVID-19 pandemic, an economic recession and continuing protests against injustice. And in two weeks, it’ll be Election Day, where millions will cast their votes for president and a slew of other statewide and local races. The lead-up to Election Day has […]
Poll worker shortage? Not exactly, local election officials say.
The poll worker shortage in the Kansas City area was more critical in the first elections after governor-issued states of emergency in each state. With fewer poll workers, some local election boards had to close polling sites, leaving voters confused. But in the weeks ahead of the general election, some election boards across the metro are seeing a different situation unfold.
How ballot drop boxes could help Kansans voting by mail this year
With just weeks to go until Election Day, Kansans voting by mail will be able to deliver their ballots at designated ballot drop box locations in their county, providing another option to ensure ballots are received on time.
Notary needed: How Kansas City residents are stepping up to ensure voter participation
In a year when election officials are expecting record turnout numbers and more voters want to vote by mail ahead of Election Day, access to a notary could mean the difference between someone casting their vote remotely and having to vote in person.
How Kansas City-area election workers are trying to keep voters safe on Election Day
To keep voters safe on Election Day, polling places will be equipped with a health and safety apparatus that includes masks, face shields, plexiglass, social distancing markers, hand sanitizer and single-use pen and stylus combos.
Is your local election website as secure as it could be?
Cybersecurity experts say one of the most common and easiest measures to implement is an https encryption. But while many people rely on these local county election websites as trusted sources of election and voting information — particularly in a pivotal election year — many of these information hubs lack proper security measures against cyberattacks.
Voter Guide: How to vote safely in Kansas’ upcoming election
No matter what your voting plan is for Election Day 2020, this nonpartisan guide is here to help you navigate and understand the state’s voting process, protocols, and deadlines so that you can successfully cast your ballot on Nov. 3.
Voter Guide: How to vote safely in Missouri’s upcoming election
No matter what your voting plan is for Election Day 2020, this nonpartisan guide is here to help you navigate and understand the state’s voting process, protocols, and deadlines so that you can successfully cast your ballot on Nov. 3.
Missouri secretary of state contradicts health officials’ advice on Election Day plans
Jay Ashcroft’s comments come at a time when more voters are expressing interest in voting by mail in November.
In the midst of a pandemic, Missouri voters say ‘Yes’ to expanding Medicaid
Missouri became the 38th state in the U.S. to expand its Medicaid program earlier this week. But the expansion won’t go into effect until July 2021, potentially leaving thousands without health coverage in the midst of a global health crisis and high unemployment as a result of that crisis.
Kansas City area moms who lost sons to police violence are still searching for answers
Since 2013, 265 people have been shot and killed by law enforcement in Kansas and Missouri — 30 by the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department alone. Their deaths have left behind mothers, sisters, children, friends and family whose lives have been uprooted by sudden loss.
Wide-ranging policies give Kansas and Missouri cops discretion for violence
Policy solutions to stop police killings are gaining more traction in local governments. Launched in early June by the nonprofit police reform group Campaign Zero, a data-backed research platform called 8 Can’t Wait outlines eight specific use-of-force policies to reduce the number of police killings. But local adoption of these policies varies widely, an analysis by The Beacon found.
Local activists want to ‘defund’ the Kansas City Police Department. What does that mean?
Amid mass protests against police violence in Kansas City and throughout the nation, one three-word phrase keeps coming up: “Defund the police.” But what does it actually mean? The Beacon spoke to local activists to explain the thinking behind the phrase that has caught national attention. Calls to defund the police are rooted in critiques that police departments receive exorbitant funding that should instead be reinvested into programs that directly aid the community. It is that dichotomy — of a police department with too much money and social programs with too little — that local activists say they want to change.
The Beacon launches free texting campaign around social justice and racial equity
A new program will deepen our commitment to social justice and racial equity coverage. Through texting, we can deliver the news to more of the community, including those without access to secure, reliable internet.