On Tuesday, I will cast my fifth-ever vote for a president in these great United States.
To be quite frank, I’ll be glad to begrudgingly mark that oval and move on. Presidential elections take a majority of the public’s attention, but unless you live in a swing state — or the electoral college is abolished — a vote for Trump or a vote for Harris in Barry County is more symbolic than influential.
According to FiveThirtyEight.com’s polling figures, Trump’s hold on the state has grown in the last month from 11.9 points to 13.4 points, and so our 10 electoral college votes go.
As in previous elections, this one presents far more interesting down-ballot races and state constitutional amendments and propositions. In those instances, your vote could be a decider.
The U.S. Senate race between incumbent Republican Josh Hawley and Democratic challenger Lucas Kunce has been exceptionally heated. At the Missouri Press Association Annual Convention, the two were scheduled to debate alongside the Green Party’s Nathan Kline and petitioner Jared Young, with Hawley wavering on the event but showing up minutes before the scheduled start time.
Much like our national political climate right now, it was contentious. A full stream of the debate may be found here: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=pW8kgBWv_ Mo.
Hawley and Kunce are set to face off in another televised debate on Halloween on Fox KRBK. Don’t turn your TV too loud though or you might scare off any potential trick-or-treaters.
Further down the ballot, Barry County voters will have choices in both Missouri Senate and Missouri House races.
Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, is seeking his second consecutive term in the Senate District 29, which would be his final 4-year term due to term limits. Challenging Moon is Democrat Ron Monnig, of Eagle Rock.
Scott Cupps, R-Shell Knob, is seeking his third consecutive 2-year term in House District 158, and he would qualify for one more in 2026. His challenger is Democrat Yma Sautbine, of Eagle Rock.
I submitted a series of 10 questions to all four of these candidates on Oct. 4 with a deadline of Oct. 13, aiming to run half the answers on Oct. 16 and half on Oct. 23. The first few questions were procedural, but the latter ones delved into many issues that affect Barry County voters, from candidates’ opinion of the initiative petition process and how they hope to help small businesses in their district to their intended vote on Amendment 3 and their opinion of bio-solid land application on local farms.
After follow-up calls and assurances they would send answers, neither Moon nor Monnig produced any. Furthermore, Cupps did not respond to emails, texts or calls on the questionnaires.
My philosophy as a publisher is to do as much as I can in elections to inform voters. It’s why over the summer I had four sheriff questionnaires and two northern commissioner questionnaires — not to mention local forums for both races where all candidates participated and nearly 200 people combined attended those events.
At the Ozark Press Association Conference on Oct. 17, I was one of three publishers who sat on a panel titled, “To Endorse or Not to Endorse.”
Unlike my colleagues, I was emphatically in the “do not endorse” camp. It is not my job to push my opinion of any one candidate or another; rather, it is my job to give my readers the tools to make informed decisions.
It should be noted only one candidate in our state-level races — Sautbine — bothered to consider the questions I asked and take the time to respond to them for you. No matter your political affiliation, I encourage you to read them online or in the papers from the 16th and 23rd. We have extra copies in the office, so come by and pick one up.
Beyond the races, multiple amendments and propositions are up for consideration. Full language of those measures, along with polling locations and a sample Barry County ballot, may be found here: https://tinyurl.com/2jupz7ap.
Amendment 2 would legalize sports gambling in Missouri to benefit public education. Assuming State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick’s revenue estimate of up to $29 million is accurate, the funds would have little impact on teacher salaries statewide. Yet, all states bordering Missouri allow sports betting, so should those tax dollars stay here?
Amendment 3 would effectively reestablish access to abortion care up to 24 weeks after conception. This question nearly always comes down to personal beliefs, often based on religion. I am interested to see how the state votes.
Amendment 5 would allow casino gambling on Lake of the Ozarks, but any hopes of its predicted $14 million in revenue a year affecting education significantly would also be misguided.
Amendment 6 would support salaries and benefits for current and former sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys and circuit attorneys. Proponents say it will help increase access to the courts, and the opposition has raised concerns about public finance and fiscal stewardship.
Amendment 7 leads with allowing only U.S. citizens to vote in Missouri, but tucked in the language is also a ban on ranked-choice voting. Considering Missouri’s Constitution has banned non-citizens from voting since 1924, the measure’s red herring tactic could limit election authorities’ options to implement a voting system its constituents may favor. In elections with more than 2 candidates, ranked voting ensures one candidate wins more than 50% of the vote without the need for costly runoff elections with less voter turnout.
Proposition A would increase the minimum wage to $13.75 per hour in January 2025, going up another $1.25 in January 2026 and then adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index each year thereafter. It would also force employers with 15 or more employees to grant one hour of sick leave per 30 hours worked. Proponents say the hike will boost spending power for minimum-wage workers, which benefits small businesses; and opponents say the strain on businesses is still too great coming out of COVID and will result in price hikes passed on to consumers.
If you have not looked into our state candidates and the measures on which we are about to vote, I highly encourage you to do so.
As publisher of the best small-town weekly newspaper in Missouri, I believe I have done my absolute best to help you find your way. The ball is in your court!
Kyle Troutman has served as editor of the Cassville Democrat since 2014 and owner/publisher since 2023. He was named William E. James/Missouri Outstanding Young Journalist for daily newspapers in 2017, and he is a two-time ISWNE Golden Dozen award winner. He may be reached at 417-847-2610 or ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com.
