Your Voice Your Vote Archives

Jefferson City Ward 2 councilman announces plans to run for re-election

November 15, 2023 10:30 AM Madison Stuerman

Current Jefferson City Councilman Mike Lester has announced he plans to run for re-election in the April municipal election.

Boone County judge planning run for circuit judge seat

November 9, 2023 7:59 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – A Boone County associate circuit judge is eyeing a run for a mid-Missouri circuit judge next year. Judge Stephanie Morrell filed paperwork on Wednesday with the Missouri Ethics Commission to run for the Division 3 seat in the 13th Judicial Circuit. The circuit covers felony criminal cases and some civil matters

Eldon approves weed tax, Pettis County fire district extends boundaries; more area election results available

November 7, 2023 7:56 PM Ryan Shiner

Editor’s note: Audrain County results were added on Wednesday. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Multiple counties around Mid-Missouri had elections on Tuesday. Miller County had a pair of propositions on its ballot and Pettis County asked votes if the fire district should expand its boundaries. View the full area results — by county — updated throughout the

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will you watch the Republican primary debate?

November 8, 2023 4:36 AM ABC 17 News Team

The third Republican presidential primary debate is set for Wednesday night in Miami.

Meta prohibits generative AI tools for political ads

November 7, 2023 8:58 AM CNN Newsource

Meta is prohibiting political advertisers from using the company’s new, artificial intelligence tools that help brands generate text, backgrounds and other marketing content, in what the company says is a decision to limit the technology’s potential risks.

Several Mid-Missouri counties to hold local elections Tuesday

November 7, 2023 6:10 AM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Several counties across Mid-Missouri are holding local elections Tuesday. Polls open at 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. Audrain, Chariton, Miller and Osage County are asking community members to head to the polls to decide on several items including sales taxes and emergency management districts among other items. Chariton County

Republican Vernetti says he’ll challenge incumbent Lake of the Ozarks state representative

November 6, 2023 4:56 PM Matthew Sanders

A Camden County businessman said Monday that he will seek to unseat an incumbent in the Missouri House.

Democrats are counting on abortion politics to help deliver wins in key races across the country this week

November 6, 2023 8:00 AM CNN Newsource

In the 16 months since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, six states have held direct votes on the future of abortion rights within their borders. And on six occasions, the pro-abortion rights side has prevailed — including in traditionally conservative states like Kentucky.

Hamra announces gubernatorial bid as Democrat

October 26, 2023 7:32 PM Ryan Shiner

Editor’s note: This article has been corrected to indicate the correct Christopher Wright is running for governor as a Republican. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Mike Hamra announced a bid for the 2024 Missouri governor in a Thursday press release. Hamra is from Springfield, Missouri, and states he is the CEO of Hamra Enterprises. The release states

Mann announces he will not seek reelection for Missouri House seat, citing mental health concerns

October 25, 2023 7:29 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) State Rep. Doug Mann (D-Columbia) announced in a Wednesday press release that he will not seek reelection for his seat next year. The release states he will forgo a reelection bid “due to lingering mental health concerns.” Mann has suffered from “chronic treatment-resistant depression for years,” according to the release. The release

Queer rights advocate to take on incumbent for Missouri House of Representatives seat

October 22, 2023 7:10 PM Hannah Falcon

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Democratic queer rights advocate is officially in the race to represent the 48th District in the Missouri House of Representatives. Joseph “Joe” Jefferies tells ABC 17 he is running for the state legislature because of recent controversial legislation on transgender youth and adults, libraries and more. He will face off

Columbia state senator announces intent to run for Missouri secretary of state at University of Missouri homecoming parade

October 21, 2023 3:18 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia State Sen. Caleb Rowden announced his plans to run for Missouri secretary of state by displaying a large sign at the University of Missouri Homecoming parade. The Republican served as Senate President Pro Tem this year. Due to term limits, Rowden’s time in the Missouri Senate is coming to an end

Schwadron announces bid for Missouri Secretary of State

October 12, 2023 10:15 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) State Rep. Adam Schwadron (R-St. Charles) has announced his bid for Missouri’s Secretary of State, according to a Thursday night press release. The position is currently held by Jay Ashcroft, who announced his gubernatorial campaign in April. Schwadron was first elected in 2020 and recently won his reelection bid in 2022 over

Plocher announces bid for lieutenant governor

October 11, 2023 6:55 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri State Speaker of the House Dean Plocher (R-St. Louis) announced his bid for Lieutenant Governor on Wednesday in a press release. In his press release, Plocher describes himself as a conservative and showed support for Missouri’s abortion ban, as well as the Save Women’s Sports Act that was signed by

Democrat Raithel launches 44th House District candidacy

October 10, 2023 3:58 PM Matthew Sanders

A Democrat who challenged the Republican incumbent in the 44th Missouri House District will run again next year.

Columbia representative Steinhoff to run for reelection

October 2, 2023 1:32 PM Matthew Sanders

A Columbia Democrat said Monday that she plans to seek a second term in the state House.

Boone County Commissioner Thompson says she’ll seek reelection

October 2, 2023 10:34 AM Matthew Sanders

A Boone County commissioner with more than a decade in office will seek reelection this fall.

A judge has rewritten Missouri ballot summary language that described ‘dangerous’ abortions

September 25, 2023 12:39 PM Associated Press

By SUMMER BALLENTINE Associated Press COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri judge has tossed Republican-written ballot summary language Monday that described several proposed constitutional amendments as allowing “dangerous and unregulated abortions until live birth.” The judge ruled Monday and rewrote the summary to say the amendment will undo Missouri’s almost total ban on abortions. The

Aldred announces reelection bid for Boone County Southern District commissioner

September 6, 2023 3:31 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Boone County Southern District Commissioner Justin Aldred announced his intention to run for reelection in 2024 through a press release on Wednesday. Aldred first won the seat representing southern portions of Boone County – including southern Columbia, Ashland and Hartsburg – in 2020. Aldred, a Democrat, defeated incumbent commissioner Fred Parry –

Missouri Republican seeks exceptions to near-total abortion ban, including for rape and incest cases

August 30, 2023 12:34 PM Associated Press

By SUMMER BALLENTINE Associated Press COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri Republican wants exceptions to the state’s near-total abortion ban. Jamie Corley of suburban St. Louis filed constitutional amendments Wednesday to allow abortions in cases of rape, incest and fatal abnormalities until fetal viability. Viability is typically around 24 weeks. Corley also proposed allowing abortions