Your Guide to the August 4 Primary Election: What Pleasant Hill Area Voters Will Decide
When Cass County voters head to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 4, they will be choosing more than just party nominees. This year’s Primary Election includes federal and state races, county offices, judicial positions, constitutional amendments, and local ballot questions. While not every voter will see every race, most Pleasant Hill residents living in Cass County will vote on many of the same issues.
Missouri is an open primary state. That means voters may choose which party’s ballot they wish to receive when they check in at their polling place. However, voters may only vote one party’s ballot. Regardless of which party ballot they choose, every voter will also vote on the constitutional amendments and any county or local questions that apply to their district.
United States Representative
Pleasant Hill is located within Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District. Republican voters will choose between incumbent Mark Alford, Heather Shelton and Scott Vincent Vera. Democratic voters will choose among Jordan Herrera, Wayne Russell, Hartzell Gray III, G. Rick, Jeanette Cass, Ashleigh Rogers and Randy Miller. Libertarian voters will have Thomas Holbrook on their ballot.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives serve two-year terms and represent their congressional district in Washington, D.C., voting on federal legislation, spending bills and issues affecting their constituents.
Missouri State Auditor
One statewide race likely to draw local attention is for Missouri State Auditor. The Auditor serves as Missouri’s independent financial watchdog, conducting financial and performance audits of state agencies and, under certain circumstances, cities, counties, school districts and other political subdivisions. For Pleasant Hill residents, the office has become especially familiar because of the ongoing audit of the City of Pleasant Hill.
Republican voters will choose between incumbent Scott Fitzpatrick and Gerald “Jerry” Wistrand Jr. Democratic voters will choose between Quentin Wilson and Gregory Upchurch. Libertarian voters will vote for Dustin Coffell.
Missouri House of Representatives
Depending on where they live, Cass County voters may also vote in one of several Missouri House districts.
Republican voters in District 55 will choose between William “Bill” Irwin and Michael Davis. Republican voters in District 56 will choose between Steve Baker and Michael Davis, while Democratic voters in that district will vote for Jon Pennell. In District 62, Republican voters will choose Sherri Gallick, while Democratic voters will choose between Staci Czar and Mitch Mullvain. Democratic voters in District 82 will vote for Liz Davenport.
Because legislative districts cross city and county boundaries, not every Pleasant Hill voter will receive the same legislative race.
Cass County Offices
With the exception of a handful of races, many county offices on the Cass County ballot are uncontested, meaning the August primary will be decided primarily by congressional, legislative, statewide, and constitutional amendment races.
Republican voters will nominate Bob Huston for Presiding Commissioner, Kathy Lambertz for County Clerk, Kim York for Circuit Clerk, Mike Medsker for Recorder of Deeds, Ben Butler for Prosecuting Attorney, Chris Molendorp for Collector of Revenue and Jack Bondon for County Auditor.
Democratic voters will nominate Art Ruiz for Recorder of Deeds.
The ballot also includes judicial races for Associate Circuit Judge in Divisions 3, 4, 5 and 6, with James G. Eftink, Derek Spencer, Tiffany Tschudi, Christopher Edward Benjamin and Jason M. Howell appearing on the ballot.
Constitutional Amendments
Every Missouri voter will decide four proposed constitutional amendments.
Amendment 1 would renew Missouri’s existing one-tenth of one percent sales tax for another ten years. The tax supports Missouri State Parks, historic sites and soil and water conservation programs. According to the ballot language, the existing tax generates approximately $140 million each year.
Amendment 2 would require Missouri charter counties to elect their county assessor rather than appoint one.
Amendment 4 would change Missouri’s initiative petition process by requiring future citizen-proposed constitutional amendments to receive both a statewide majority vote and majority approval in each congressional district before taking effect. It would also require the full text of initiative petitions to be available to voters.
Amendment 5 would establish constitutional requirements for phasing out Missouri’s individual income tax under certain revenue conditions while placing limits on future sales and use tax increases related to that phase-out.
Cass County Ballot Question
All Cass County voters will decide whether to approve a one-quarter of one percent countywide sales tax dedicated to road and bridge improvements while eliminating the county’s current special road and bridge property tax levy.
If approved, road and bridge funding would shift from a property tax to a countywide sales tax.
Local Ballot Questions
Some voters will also see additional questions depending on where they live.
Residents within the East Lynne Gunn City Fire Protection District will vote on whether to expand the district’s Board of Directors from three members to five members.
Voters in Lee’s Summit will decide whether to approve a one-quarter cent sales tax dedicated to stormwater management and flood mitigation.
Kansas City voters will also consider several bond issues and an economic development sales tax question, although those questions do not apply to most Pleasant Hill residents.
Before You Vote
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Missouri voters must present an acceptable form of photo identification before receiving a ballot.
Over the coming days, PHMOmag will take a closer look at several of these races and ballot questions, including the candidates for Missouri State Auditor and the four constitutional amendments, to help readers make informed decisions before Election Day.