EDITOR:
In a recent meeting, the Platte County Democratic Central Committee votes to endorse a NO vote on Amendment 4, which changes the rules on citizen-initiated constitutional amendments, and Amendment 5, which gives the legislature broad authority to expand Sales Taxes to Replace Income Tax (The “Everything” Tax).
The Democrats in Platte County will continue to educate the voters this Wednesday, June 24, at the Platte City Mid-Continient Library at 6 p.m. We will host a community talk with Minority Floor Leader, State Representative Ashley Aune. We will discuss what implications these crucial amendments will have on our communities, our families, and our state.
Amendment 4 would rewrite Missouri’s constitution to make it nearly impossible for citizens to pass ballot measures, e.g., abortion access, Medicaid expansion, minimum wage, etc. One district, or roughly 7% of Missouri voters could cancel the rest of the state’s votes. If it fails in one district, the amendment fails. It will take away the power of one person, one vote. A NO vote will protect your vote and your voice.
Amendment 5, otherwise called the “everything tax”, would affect 80% of Missourians, especially low-income families and senior citizens. Most income taxes are paid by high income residents; sales taxes are paid by everyone. This is another tax cut for the wealthy. To make up 64% of the state’s lost revenue, sales taxes would have to double if not triple on many things that are currently exempt: day care, legal services, doctor visits, prescriptions, haircuts, and any goods and services. This reduction in revenue puts essential services like public education at risk. Amendment 5 also puts our small businesses in danger. A NO vote will save YOUR money.
Democrats are also educating our voters on making a plan to vote in the Aug. 4 primary. We are organizing to register voters and get them to the polls. Ways you can vote for the August primary: absentee voting, in person early voting, and voting on election day at your polling site.
The last day to register for the August primary is July 8.
Absentee Voting – People can vote absentee in person or by mail, with a qualifying reason. Early, no-excuse voting starts two weeks before the election, July 21.Absentee in-person voting with a qualifying reason starts June 23 at 8 a.m. at the Platte County Election Board, 2600 NW Prairie View Rd. in Platte City. You can vote absentee if you will be away from Platte County on Election Day, if you have an illness or disability, or if you are an election worker or caregiver. You must have a valid photo ID to vote absentee in person.
More information is available at https://www.plattecountymovotes.gov/absentee.
You can also apply for a mail-in ballot. You must do this by July 22. Download the Platte County absentee ballot application form from the Board of Elections. Complete and return it by mail or in person. Your filled-out ballot must be RECEIVED by the Board of Elections (not postmarked) by 7 p.m. on Aug. 4.
Early In-Person Voting – If you just want to vote before Election Day without a reason, in-person early voting runs from July 21 to August 3.
You can vote early without an excuse from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at the Board of Elections office. The office will also have early voting hours, 8 a.m. to noon, on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Showing up to the polls on Aug. 4 – Platte County voters can show up to the polls at their designated polling sites. You can check your voter registration with the Secretary of State-Register to Vote.
Educate, plan and vote. Platte County Democrats support voting NO on both Amendment 4 and Amendment 5.
--Elisa Neilson
Platte County Democrats
