Some Elections May Move

Legislation has been filed this session to move some local races and issues, such as fire department and tax increase proposals, from April to later in the year. During a Missouri House Budget Committee hearing this week, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft says he has not taken a position on the idea. However, he says there would be savings if the election were moved from April to November.

Representative Peggy McGaugh (ma-GAW), who served many years as the Carroll County Clerk in northwest Missouri and a fellow Republican, disagrees that there would be savings. She also says voter fatigue exists, and putting those races on partisan ballots would be a real danger.