November 3 is the upcoming date for local elections, as well as several special elections in the Kansas City area. Voter turnout tends to be significantly lower for elections that do not include state and national representatives on the ballot. However, civic engagement in these less publicized elections is incredibly important. Ballot issues decided in these elections can often affect citizens’ everyday lives as much or more as votes cast during midterm and general elections.

I encourage everyone to make the effort to vote in next week’s local elections. Because it is important to be an informed citizen at the polls, I’ve provided some information regarding the various issues on the ballot in Jackson County. There are tax questions up for a vote in the cities of Independence and Oak Grove, which are detailed below. Additionally, there are two special elections for State Representatives in the Kansas City area, due to current vacancies.  

City of Independence – Official Ballot Language 

QUESTION 1  

Shall the City of Independence impose a sales tax of one-eighth of one percent, to be effective January 1, 2017, for the purpose of funding capital improvements for Public Safety purposes, including but not limited to the purchase, construction, repair and maintenance of Facilities and Equipment, which tax shall expire on December 31, 2028? 

A “Yes” vote will allow the one-eighth of one percent sales tax to go into effect within the city of Independence beginning in 2017. The sales tax will fund public safety capital improvements and will remain in effect through 2028. 

A “No” vote will prevent the sales tax from going into effect.  

QUESTION 2 Shall the City of Independence impose a Sales Tax of one-eighth of one percent, to be effective January 1, 2017, for the purpose of providing for purchase, construction, repair, maintenance and reconstruction of facilities and equipment and for training within the operation of the municipal fire department which tax shall be in effect until December 31, 2028? 

A “Yes” vote will allow the one-eighth of one percent sales tax to go into effect within the city of Independence beginning in 2017. The sales tax will fund the municipal fire department’s operation and improvement and will remain in effect through 2028.  

A “No” vote will prevent the sales tax from going into effect.  

City of Oak Grove – Official Ballot Language 

QUESTION  

Shall the existing one-quarter of one percent capital improvements sales tax imposed by the City of Oak Grove, Missouri be repealed and in its place shall the City impose a capital improvements sales tax of one-half of one percent for the purpose of funding streets, storm drainage, sewer, water and other capital improvements and City facilities which may include the retirement of debt under previously authorized bonded indebtedness and the existing one-quarter of one percent local parks sales tax imposed by the City of Oak Grove, Missouri be repealed and in its place shall the City impose a local parks sales tax of one-half of one percent for the purpose of providing funding for local parks and parks facilities including a pool/aquatics center and community center for the City? 

A “Yes” vote will replace a one-quarter of one percent capital improvements sales tax with a one-half of one percent sales tax, also for capital improvement. Additionally, the existing one-quarter of one percent sales tax for local parks will be replaced with a one-half of one percent sales tax for local parks.  

A “No” vote will prevent the implementation of the new sales tax rates and keep the existing sales tax rates in effect.  

House of Representatives Special Elections – Official Ballot Language 

Governor Nixon called special elections to fill two Kansas City area House of Representative seats that have been vacant for several months. 

The candidates for District 29 representative, which encompasses southern Independence and eastern Raytown, are listed below:  

Rory Rowland (Democratic)

Brian DeMoss (Republican)

Richard W. McKie (Constitution)

The candidates for District 36 representative, southern Kansas City, are listed below:  

Daron McGee (Democratic)Nola Wood (Republican)
Timothy E. Peterman (Libertarian)

Mary Ann Drape (Independent)