Elections

Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota spoke with KCUR's Up To Date on Friday about why he jumped into this year's election for a full term, despite repeatedly promising not to. Then, hours later, LeVota announced he would drop out.

Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss why he changed his mind about filing to run for a full term in office. He also discusses the task force he assembled to assess the future of the Truman Sports Complex site, and his approach to addressing property tax concerns.

Anger over the data center boom has spilled into politics with voters unseating local politicians who support them — most recently in Independence, Missouri. It's become an issue hard to ignore in the midterm elections.

The proposed constitutional amendment gives Missouri lawmakers five years to expand sales and use taxes, in order to make up for revenue lost by eliminating the state income tax. It will appear in either a special election or on November's ballot.

Trump's order attempts to restrict mail-in ballots only to voters on an approved federal list. But Democrats and postal law experts have said the Postal Service has no authority over elections.

The U.S. House has passed a version of the SAVE Act that requires people to produce additional documents if they are registering to vote with a different name than the one on their birth certificate. Critics say it disproportionately affects women, transgender individuals and others who've changed their name.

Kevin King, a former union leader, was elected as mayor of Independence on Tuesday over a city council member who supported an AI data center deal. King has never held political office before, and says he wants residents to be engaged and feel heard in city government.

With the 1% earnings tax secured until at least 2031, Kansas City now looks ahead to negotiations with the Royals, looming bond measures for water and housing, and the possible referendum to eliminate Missouri’s income tax.

Kansas City’s 1% earning tax has won renewal once again, garnering overwhelming support from voters in Tuesday’s municipal elections. Meanwhile, data center supporters lost big in Independence, Missouri. KCUR reporters join Up To Date to discuss the tax and other key issues on ballots across the metro.

Preliminary results from the April 7, 2026, elections in Hickman Mills, Independence and other districts saw some new candidates win seats, while incumbents returned for another term in others.

Hickman Mills, Independence and other school districts got the green light from voters to improve school buildings and pay off debt in the April 7 municipal election. Some passed measures that will let them pay teachers and staff more.

This is the fourth time since 2010 that voters have renewed the tax by an overwhelming margin.