Click for more information and tickets!

What's Up With the League

Reason to Celebrate

By Melanie Busse, President

I don't know about you, but I needed some good news. The results on Amendments 4 and 5 in August provided us just that! And for now, the recent MO Supreme Court rulings regarding redistricting and citizens initiative petition protections are also good news, even though the legal fight continues regarding the redistricting measure.

We want to thank our committee chairs and volunteers who spent many hours advancing the League's mission to defend democracy and empower voters. These efforts included:

• Gathering signatures for the People Not Politicians campaign (the redistricting issue)
• Gathering signatures for the Respect Missouri Voters campaign (citizens initiative petition reform)
• Joining with other organizations at rallies to support both People Not Politicians and Respect Missouri Voters campaigns
• Handing out flyers to their family, friends and community regarding the Vote NO campaigns on Amendments 4 and 5 that were defeated in August
• Making signs and putting them in their yards
• Traveling to Jefferson City for rallies
• Working with our Forums, Voter Education, Voter Services and GOTV teams to help inform voters about what was on their ballot

It is good to celebrate, and now we need to get back to business as the November election is only eight weeks away!

Want to get involved? Click here!

Membership Meeting

Saturday, September 12, social time 9:30 - 10 a.m., meeting begins at 10 a.m.

ZOOM ONLY - link is on the League calendar (Note: You must be signed in to access the link.)

Join us for a Zoom presentation on Amendment 3 on Saturday, September 12, at 10 a.m. Feel free to sign in at 9:30 to chat with fellow attendees. During the meeting, committee chairs will give an update on what they are doing leading up to the November election.

No on 3 – Stop the Ban, Missouri!

By Melanie Busse, President

The LWVMO supported the passage of Amendment 3 regarding abortion and reproductive rights in November 2024. The Missouri Legislature voted to put a new Amendment 3 in front of the voters this November, 2026. A copy of the full Amendment can be found HERE

Here is the League position on the right of the individual to make reproductive choices:

The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that public policy in a pluralistic society must affirm the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices. In 2024, delegates passed a resolution reaffirming the League's commitment to fight for reproductive rights and justice, including bodily autonomy, privacy, reproductive health, and access to contraception and abortion (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024-2026, p. 64-68).

The LWVMO as well as local chapters across the state (including the LWVKC/JCP) endorse the No on 3, Stop the Ban Missouri campaign. Click the link below to read the campaign's press release.

Stop the Ban MO Press Release

Urgent Request from LWVUS: Oppose the SAVE Act

By Melanie Busse, President

The Senate is in recess until September 11. During this time, the League is encouraging members and supporters to visit their Senator's state offices, call their offices, or send our action alert opposing the SAVE Act.

Senate Majority Leader Thune may allow Senators to vote on the SAVE Act again after they return from recess in September. This would impact the November midterm elections. We need to send them back to DC ready to oppose this voter suppression bill!

It's time for us to remind them how we feel about the SAVE Act. This bill would require citizenship documentation to register to vote, even though voters in every state are already required to affirm or verify their citizenship status when registering. Additionally, the bill will make voting more difficult by mandating that voters prove their identity using a photo ID from a strict list when casting a ballot.

It is already illegal for non-citizens to register and vote in federal or state elections. Plus, we have processes to ensure our elections are secure and that only eligible voters are casting ballots. State election officials have systems to verify an individual voter's eligibility and ensure voter rolls are accurate.

Legislation like the SAVE Act is part of a long list of tactics that seek to make it more difficult for voters of color and naturalized citizens to vote. Americans do not need MORE obstacles to vote. The League will not stand idly by, and we need your help to stop these unnecessary requirements.

VOTE411 - Helping Voters Avoid Surprises on Election Day

By Pat Goodwin, Vote411 Team

VOTE411.org, the League of Women Voters' online voter guide, will be published on Monday, October 12 for the November 3 election. We need your help to make sure as many voters as possible in Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties learn of this valuable resource and avoid surprises on Election Day. Here is how you can help spread the word.

• Distribute flyers in your community. We have lots of flyers we can share with you.
• Post VOTE411 information on social media.
• Follow social media and 'like' or comment on LWVKC posts.
• Let us know about organizations we should contact about VOTE411.
• Write a letter about VOTE411 to your community newspaper.
• Look for VOTE411 flyers at your local library toward the end of the month. Check with the librarian or let us know if you don't see them.
• Put a VOTE411 bumper sticker on your car. We'll get you one.

Depending on where they live, voters could see more than 20 races and ballot measures on their ballot which can be discouraging. VOTE411 allows voters to review their ballot, make informed choices, and print their sample ballot to take to the polls. That can make voting a lot more appealing.

If you have other good ways of letting voters know about VOTE411, let us know by emailing vote411@lwvkc.org. Thank you for your help.

Six Forums for Missouri Legislature Candidates

By Elizabeth Darr, Forums Committee

The Forums Committee has scheduled six virtual forums in the first two weeks of October for the 59 candidates running for the Missouri legislature in the greater Kansas City area. Each forum will start at 6:30 p.m. and will last approximately two hours. Links to sign up to attend these Zoom events are available on the League's calendar. We encourage everyone who wants to learn more about their candidates to sign up to attend. Recordings will be available on our YouTube page the day after each forum.

eVoter Publication Dates

The eVoter is now published on the second Tuesday of every month. The deadline to submit articles to the eVoter is 5 p.m. on the Friday before the publication date. To submit articles to the eVoter, please use the form that is available under the "Forms" tab on the LWVKC.org website.

Info You May Need!

Good News for the Restoration of Voting Rights

By Kelly Edmondson - Voter Services

Missourians who have been convicted of and served time for a felony will be able to register to vote sooner than previously allowed. On July 13, 2026, Governor Kehoe signed HB 1871, a comprehensive elections bill that includes provisions to restore voting rights to certain individuals completing felony probation and parole. This bill went into effect on August 28, 2026.

Currently, a person with a felony conviction must complete their probation and parole before they can re-register to vote. Effective August 28, they are able to register to vote while serving their probation and parole. HB 1871 only applies to non-violent felonies. Violent offenses and sex offenses do not qualify for this earlier reinstatement.

Over 40,000 Missourians on parole or probation could get their voting rights restored. Advocates for this bill said these Missourians are living in the community, using services, paying taxes, perhaps sending kids to public schools, and deserve to have their voice heard via the ballot.

The deadline to register for the November 3 election is October 7, so Missourians who are currently serving their probation and parole will have plenty of time to register so they can vote in November. For more information see: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eaWgS2j3Ey7qmCEk4omeXN6ZGRLmIgH4/view

Naturalization Applicant Numbers Plummet

By Becky Yockey, Chair, New Citizens Voter Registration

Numbers of new applicants for naturalization (new citizen) ceremonies have fallen considerably since late last year, due to action by the current federal government.

The U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS), which examines applicants for citizenship, handed out new guidelines last year that included a block or delay of naturalization for former residents of "high risk" countries on a list of 19 nations; that list was later expanded to 39 total nations.

A new USCIS policy also banned non-governmental groups from holding voter registrations for newly naturalized people. This affected USCIS naturalization ceremonies, but not necessarily those held by U.S. federal courts (LWVKC registers new voters at federal-court ceremonies).

There have been legal actions since the new guidelines that have reduced and/or eliminated these delays and restored the voter-registration efforts of non-governmental groups. However, new testing has been designed for those seeking citizenship, as well as stricter "moral character" evaluations. Moral character standards include such things as late tax payments and stricter monitoring of social media use.

The effect of this activity has been to reduce applicant numbers at naturalization ceremonies sponsored by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. LWVKC data kept by myself shows, for example, that in January 2024, LWVKC registered 91 voters after two ceremonies; that number for January 2026 was 34 voters after one ceremony.

Our national League (and several other groups) filed a lawsuit about the voter registration Issue and, in August, won a preliminary injunction against the new USCIS policy. Reduced numbers of applicants at federal-court ceremonies, however, are expected to continue.

Members In Action

Membership, We Volunteer!

By Laura Marcus Mountjoy, Membership Chair

Please sign up for the many events listed under our Volunteer tab on our lwvkc.org website.

The League is only effective in achieving its mission of empowering voters and defending democracy if we have dedicated members willing to volunteer their time.

We can make a difference, now for our upcoming November election, by volunteering for Voter Registration and Get Out the Vote/GOTV events. Be sure to sign up for our next DEI training on September 23rd to volunteer for events out in public. Sign up to be Greeters at our Ballot Measure Presentations for the crucial Amendments on which we'll be voting November 3rd.

No DEI training? You can volunteer for work parties to help with making the supplies we need to hold events. Also, plan to attend a Ballot Measure event, and bring friends! Host a watch party for the Forum in your area, too. In other words, share the work of our League!

Members volunteer using their skills in many areas, and your time and effort are appreciated!

Thanks to the many (57!) members who have renewed their membership in LWVKC/JCP during this last quarter (June-August). Your continued support and time are greatly appreciated.

Upcoming Events

Voting Events

In-Person Absentee Voting Begins for November 3 Election

When: September 22, 2026
Link for more information: https://kceb.org/absentee/

Voter Registration Deadline for November 3 General Election!

When: October 7, 2026

League Events

Monthly Membership Meeting - Zoom only

When: September 12, 2026, 9:30 to 10 a.m. social time, meeting 10 to 11 a.m.
Where: Link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89733590399

DEI/Non-Partisan Training

When: September 23, 2026, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Where: North Kansas City Library, 2251 Howell St., North Kansas City, MO 64116
Log in and Register

LWVKC Book Club

When: September 17, 2026, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84083430103

Voting 101 Presentation

When: September 12, 2026, 6 p.m.
Where: 3 North Programming Space, Central Library (KC Public Library), 14 W. 10th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105
KC Library Registration

Fired Up to Vote!

When: September 16, 2026, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: The Everly, 210 W. 19th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64108
For Information and Tickets

2026 Missouri Ballot Measures Presentation

When: September 29, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Ivanhoe Community Center, 3700 Woodland, Kansas City, MO 64109

2026 Missouri Ballot Measures Presentation, Lee's Summit

When: October 7, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Mid Continent Public Library, Colbern Road Library Center, 1000 NE Colbern Road, Lee's Summit, MO 64086

Get Out The Vote - City Market Voter Outreach

When: October 3, 2026 and October 10, 2026, 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (two-hour shifts available)
Where: City Market, 20 East 5th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106

Candidate Forum: Missouri Senate and House Districts (Platte City)

When: October 6, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Check calendar for more information

2026 Missouri Ballot Measures Presentation

When: October 10, 2026, 10 a.m.
Where: Bluford Library, 3050 Prospect Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64128

2026 Missouri Ballot Measures Presentation

When: October 12, 2026, 6 p.m.
Where: Kansas City Public Library, Plaza Branch, 4801 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64112

Committee Meetings

Voter Guide / Vote411 Committee Meeting

When: September 8, 2026, 5 to 6 p.m.; September 22, 2026, 5 to 6 p.m.
Link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84326330757

Social Media Committee Meeting

When: September 15, 2026, 5 to 6 p.m.; October 6, 2026, 5 to 6 p.m.
Link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84326330757

Forums Committee Meeting

When: September 21, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89523016094

Technology Committee Meeting

When: September 24, 2026, noon
Link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88953712786

Membership Committee Meeting

When: October 6, 2026, 4 to 5 p.m.
Link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88399330170