Election | Sedalia Democrat

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins talks to reporters Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at his office in the state Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo.

Missouri election chief rejects bid to hold public vote on Trump-backed congressional districts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's top election official has rejected a citizens' petition seeking a statewide referendum on new congressional districts backed by President Donald Trump. … more

By David A. Lieb Associated Press | 8/4/26

Voting were steady at First Baptist Church, the polling location for Sedalia's Second Ward and the Cedar Township, mid-day Tuesday, Aug. 4.

PHOTO: Voters turn out for Primary Election

8/4/26

Reminders for the August 4 Primary Election

Precinct Hours: 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. Where do I vote? Sedalia First Ward - Convention Hall - 3rd & Park Sedalia Second Ward/Cedar - First Baptist Church - 200 E. 6th Street Sedalia … more

8/3/26

Missouri could have a near-record primary turnout Tuesday as voters decide two major ballot questions and congressional primaries in three districts

Missouri turnout could hit 1.4 million as ballot measures drive primary interest

Missouri election officials expect as many as 1.4 million voters will cast ballots by the time polls close Tuesday, continuing the historic trend of high turnout in primary elections featuring … more

By Rudi Keller Missouri Independent | 8/3/26

Missouri voters weigh ending income tax. Here’s how other states replace the revenue

Voters have the opportunity Aug. 4 to put Missouri on track to be the 10th state without an individual income tax. Many of the states without an income tax have to get creative in the way they … more

By Peter Pynadath Columbia Missourian | 7/31/26

Ashlee Martin straightened her sign along Broadway Boulevard Wednesday. Martin expresses opposition to Constitutional Amendments 4 and 5 which she says will put financial burdens on Missourians through new taxes in services.

Missouri voters to decide on Amendments 4, 5

Ashlee Martin, broker-owner of Coldwell Banker Freedom Group, and president of the West Central Association of Realtors is encouraging Missouri voters to reject proposed Constitutional Amendments 4 … more

By Chris Howell, chris.howell@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/30/26

Missouri voters have major ballot measures on income tax and initiative petitions to decide, as well as primaries for congress, state Senate and Missouri House districts on Tuesday.

Campaign spending accelerates as Missouri primary election draws near

Ballot measure campaigns raised almost $40 million through the third week of July as they paid for ads and direct mail appeals bombarding Missourians ahead of Tuesday’s primary election. … more

By Rudi Keller Missouri Independent | 7/29/26

State Senator campaigns for Congress on experience

After serving in both houses of the Missouri Legislature, state Sen. Rick Brattin argues that he has the necessary political experience and knowledge to serve in Congress Brattin is one of six … more

By Gavin Moore Special to the Democrat | 7/27/26

U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Kansas City, files for re-election Feb. 24 in the 5th Congressional District. The district is at the center of a fight over a gerrymandered map intended to flip the district to Republicans.

Missouri congressional incumbents flush with cash heading into primary election

Missouri congressional incumbents seeking reelection hold a huge cash advantage over their leading challengers, final preprimary campaign finance reports show. The seven incumbents seeking … more

By Rudi Keller Missouri Independent | 7/24/26

Jessi Capkovic and Sherry Jo Painter-Torres

Capkovic, Painter-Torres running for Pettis County Clerk

Two candidates are vying for Pettis County Clerk in the Aug. 4 Primary Election. Jessi Capkovic and Sherry Painter-Torres are running for the position, which is currently held by … more

By Chris Howell, chris.howell@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/24/26

Sam Alexander, Chuck Lentz and Brad Pollitt

Three vying for Missouri Senate District 28 Republican nomination

Three candidates are running to earn the Republican nomination for the 28th District of the Missouri Senate on Aug. 4. The field includes Sam Alexander, of Fair Play; Chuck Lentz, of … more

By Chris Howell, chris.howell@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/22/26

The candidates for the Republican nomination in Missouri’s 5th Congressional District are, from left, Micah Beebe, Brett Hueffmeier, Taylor Burks, Rick Brattin and Brad Patty

Uncertain congressional map hangs over Missouri’s crowded 5th District GOP primary

The Republican nomination in Missouri’s 5th Congressional District could, in the weeks after the Aug. 4 primary, become a prize not worth having. Six candidates are competing for the … more

By Rudi Keller Missouri Independent | 7/21/26

Former Boone County official, veteran seeks 5th Congressional District nomination

With a military base, college communities and rural counties all part of Missouri's 5th Congressional District, former Boone County Clerk Taylor Burks argues his professional experience has prepared … more

By Gavin Moore Special to the Democrat | 7/20/26

The 28th state Senate District Republican primary candidates are, from left, state Rep. Brad Pollitt, Dr. Sam Alexander and Chuck Lentz.

PAC attack mailers bring backlash in GOP primary race for Missouri’s 28th state Senate District

Sam Alexander paints a grim picture of Missouri’s 28th Senate District. Alexander, an emergency room physician and farmer running for state Senate, said he lays awake at night thinking … more

By Anna Spoerre Missouri Independent | 7/20/26

Klein Perkins, Winfrey running for Pettis County Circuit Clerk

In the Aug. 4 Primary Election, voters will be asked to choose between either Dena Klein Perkins or Lexi Winfrey for Pettis County Circuit Clerk on the Republican ballot. The … more

7/17/26

If voters pass Proposition A in the Aug. 4 election, the city’s license tax on electric light and power companies would be lowered to 4.75% from 5% of gross receipts from electricity sales within the city. It would also repeal reduced tax rates and exemptions that currently benefit certain large industrial customers.

Sedalia voters to decide on electric license tax reduction, elimination of tax cap for largest users

Sedalia voters will decide Aug. 4 whether to approve Proposition A, a measure that would reduce the city’s utility license tax on electricity while eliminating a long-standing tax cap for the … more

By Chris Howell chris.howell@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/15/26

Healthcare sales tax isn’t off the table in Missouri Amendment 5 proposal

ST. LOUIS — Missouri healthcare advocate Leslie Ortbals and her husband want to start a family, but she worries they can’t afford it. The 27-year-old said she takes 10 medications daily to manage … more

By Bram Sable-Smith KFF News Network | 7/15/26

Baeza, Sherman vie for Missouri District 52 house seat in republican primary

Two candidates are running for the Missouri District 52 State Representative seat in the Aug. 4 Primary. Newcomers Israel Baeza and Philip J. Sherman will be running for the seat to … more

7/15/26

A sign promoting Amendment 4, which would change the way majorities are tallied for constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petition.

Election 2026 Amendment 4 puts rural Missouri at center of fight over ballot power

Supporters of Amendment 4 say it would give rural Missouri a stronger voice. Antwann Rhodes says it would take one away. Rhodes lives in Waynesville, a Pulaski County town of about 5,600 … more

By Jason Hancock Missouri Independent | 7/15/26

Proponents of Proposition T.I.G.E.R., a bond issue supporting Smithton schools made their opinions known Friday at the Smithton Fair Parade Friday.

Smithton superintendent explains Proposition T.I.G.E.R. ahead of Aug. 4 vote

Smithton R-VI School District Superintendent David Bray spent time at the Smithton Fair on Friday, July 10, answering questions from residents about Proposition T.I.G.E.R., a $3.5 million bond issue … more

By Chris Howell, chris.howell@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/13/26