We partnered with Show Me Integrity for an Advocacy Day on Wednesday, April 28. President Evelyn Maddox led 18 members from across the state in sharing our support for Fair Maps and a transparent redistricting process, as well as our opposition to changes in the initiative petition process and strict photo ID rules that would disenfranchise voters.

On April 29, Sharon Geuea Jones gave an excellent presentation on “Can Gerrymandering Be Stopped?” Click here for a PDF of her slides or here for a recording of the webinar. We debuted a recording of singer/songwriter Shanna Jones performing People Power Makes Us Strong with lyrics written by Bill Clause. Look for the recordings on our YouTube channel.

Jones encouraged League members to help map communities of interest. Fair Missouri’s Sean Nicholson trained 14 members of LWV of Metro St. Louis in Districtr map-making software earlier on the 29th.

On May 4, Nicholson will share his insights on the 2021 redistricting process. Click here to join the event at 7 pm sponsored by LWV of Kansas City/JCP Counties.

The Board of LWVMO believes that the Derek Chauvin conviction represents a turning point in police reform nationwide, and that our nation’s reckoning on racism has shown that we must address investments in economic opportunities, education, healthcare, and other community-led solutions throughout our country to cure the ills brought on by racism.

As we work to address racism and policing issues in Missouri, we encourage each member of our Missouri Leagues to include focus in their League programming on racial justice in policing and on the eradication of racism in their community.

Click here for the statement from LWVUS in response to the jury decision to hold Derek Chauvin accountable for George Floyd’s murder.

The Census release statewide data on April 26, but more detailed population data for drawing new maps for legislative districts won’t be released until September. As legislative redistricting proceeds, League members across the state are actively working for fair maps and a transparent redistricting process, including submitting testimony at hearings by the House Special Committee on Redistricting. Click here for Fair Maps Matter, a guest column by Evelyn Maddox.

A committee headed by Sharon Schneeberger of Columbia hopes Missouri will follow the PACT guidelines proposed by Dr. Sheldon H. Jacobson of the University of Illinois.

P: People over politics in carrying out the redistricting process.
A: Accountability of those involved in making the maps.
C: Compromise in making decisions about the goals.
T: Transparency in each step of the process.

Amendment 3 overturned the redistricting reforms voters approved in 2018 and could allow twice the level of partisan gerrymandering typically described as “severe,” but it doesn’t have to. The League is especially concerned about language calling for “one person one vote” since it could make Missouri the only state not using the total population count when drawing legislative districts. That would leave out 1.5 million Missouri children.

Click here for LWVMO’s Fair Maps resource page.

The League is against HB334, the General Assembly’s latest proposal to require all voters to show a government-issued photo ID. Vice President Nancy Copenhaver submitted written testimony to a House Elections Committee hearing Jan. 27 saying, “The League of Women Voters of Missouri is concerned that this committee is again considering strict photo ID legislation that could disenfranchise thousands of voters and discourage voting by many people of color as well as older and disabled voters. Evidence shows that there is no voter impersonation fraud in Missouri; there is no need for this legislation.”

Past LWVMO President and Treasurer Mary Merritt passed away Jan. 15 in her home in Sedalia after contracting COVID-19 in November. Mary joined the League in 1979, serving at the state level as Secretary/Treasurer for 12 years and President for four years. On the national level, she served as a member of the National Budget Committee. In 2015, she won LWVMO’s Harriett Woods Award for Exemplary Service. At the time of her death, she was Co-President of the LWV of Sedalia-Pettis County. Last October, she moderated its forum with candidates for the Pettis County sheriff’s race.

LWVMO President Evelyn Maddox said, “Mary was always generous in giving me time and counsel while I learned ‘the League way.’ Whether it involved managing League finances, selling merchandise at Convention or via the website, or working through administrative matters with the Board and Joint Office, Mary knew the right thing to do.”

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held in Sedalia at a later date. Mary’s family encourages donations to the LWVMO Education Fund in lieu of flowers. Any mailed condolences may be sent to the Family of Mary Merritt at 1812 S. Grand, Sedalia, MO 65301.

Voters should be able to cast a ballot in 2021 without fear of getting or spreading COVID-19. Provisions to allow absentee voting for those who have or are at high risk of COVID-19 and provide remote voting options for Missouri voters expired on Dec. 31, 2020. Urge Governor Mike Parson to extend safe voting provisions to ensure that all Missourians can safely cast ballots during the 2021 municipal elections.

The League’s Register & Vote brochure has information on Missouri’s voting laws.

The Missouri Supreme Court ruled against the state chapters of the League of Women Voters and NAACP in their absentee ballot lawsuit on Oct. 9. The petitioners sought to protect the right to vote guaranteed by the Missouri Constitution and waive the notary requirement for absentee and mail-in ballots in 2020 elections.

“We are disappointed that the court didn’t waive the notary rule to protect voters’ health during the pandemic,” said LWVMO President Evelyn Maddox. “We are grateful, however, for the justices’ reminder that absentee rules leave it to the voter to determine if they expect to be confined due to illness on Election Day.” Voters can use the second excuse to vote absentee without a notary if they expect to be confined due to illness or are caring for someone who is ill or disabled.

August 2020 marked the centennial of the final ratification of the 19^th Amendment.

At the League’s virtual celebration, author Nicole Evelina shared the story of Virginia Minor, the Missouri suffragist who wanted to vote and took her case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1874!

The celebration included a virtual tour of the Historical Exhibit “She Got the Vote” from the Boone County History & Culture Center. Click here for a video shared by the St. Louis League.