What makes Missouri so pivotal during elections?
813435
Missouri is pivotal because of the large liberal voting populations in the Kansas City and St. Louis inner cities and some suburbs.  Most of the remainder of the state votes conservative.\n\nWhen "Proposition B" (concealed firearms carry) was first put to a popular vote in largely rural Missouri, it passed in nearly every county in the  state, but was narrowly defeated at the time (51% to 49%), largely by inner city and suburban voters.  It didn't make a lot of difference because Democrat Governor Mel Carnahan would have vetoed it, as he did regularly with anything that he didn't like.  Missouri later became one of the 48 states that have legalized concealed carry of firearms.\n\nMany other issues are resolved on this basis (conservative rural vote versus liberal big city vote).
958084
http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2006petitions/ppStemCell.asp\n\nHope that helps. \n\nHere's a link to a clear presentation of the claims about deception that I found helpful: (it doesn't take a stand one way or the other on the amendment, although some of the signators are against it.)\nhttp://stlouis.craigslist.org/pol/229601042.html
576919
Missouri Revised Statutes\nChapter 115 \nElection Authorities and Conduct of Elections \nSection 115.559 \n\nAugust 28, 2005\n\n\n\n\nProcedure after filing of petition. \n115.559. 1. Immediately after a petition is filed, the clerk of the supreme court shall issue a summons upon the petition to the contestee, returnable by the day designated by the supreme court to the supreme court. The summons shall be served in any county of the state in the same manner provided for service of process in civil actions. If the contestee cannot be found within two days, the summons shall be served by leaving the summons and a copy of the petition at the residence address shown on the contestee's declaration of candidacy and by posting the summons in a conspicuous place in the office of the clerk of the supreme court. \n\n2. Immediately after the petition is filed, the clerk of the supreme court shall send by certified or registered mail a certified copy of the petition to the secretary of state and to each election authority responsible for conducting the election in any area where an alleged irregularity occurred. \n\n3. Not later than fifteen days after the petition is filed, the contestee may file an answer to the petition, specifying reasons why his nomination should not be contested. If the contestee wishes to contest the validity of any votes given to the contestant, he shall set forth in his answer the votes he wishes to contest and the facts he will prove in support of such contest and shall pray leave to produce his proof. \n\n(L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 13.115)
771261
Hi If you punch in  your city ,county, or state on SEARCH, you will find out all the issues that will appear on your ballot locally and state wide.The offices and candidates that are running for them.Good Luck     ROSCO
896399
Research the TN Senate race this year between Ford Jr. and Bob Corker.  It was one of the most widely televised elections because of the rampant mudslinging, including allegations of racism.  Allen and Webb in Virginia would be another good one to check out.  I recommend these because they are so very recent (only a couple weeks ago) so there should be alot of info available
965222
Oh, you mean you havent heard about the Texas scandal?\n\nThe voting machines in Texas, every time you pressed ANY candidate the Republican choice whould be selected and highlighted.  And then as the day wore on and they "fixed" that in some machines, when you selected a candidate they would change from Democrat or Liberal or Independant to Republican party so nobody could tell which party anyone was with in the end.
1147356
So that they can brag about it to the voters back home around election time. And rarely, but occasionally, to take a courageous stand on an important issue. Very rarely.
880491
A combination. There are as many motivations for voting a certain way as there are people voting. Maybe more.
743290
IT  IS ABOUT THE SMALLER STATES...for several reasons....\n\n1.  There are more people in one major us city than in my entire state.....and do you think those people have the same interests as me and the people for a rural agricultural state....no...they just don't have that point of view.....it gives ever state, rural and urban and equal say....\n\n2.  People in urban areas tend to be more liberal...and rural people tend to be more conservative....this gives the parties some equal grounds....\n\n3.  Having to win the small states also forces the candidates to campaign in the lower populated states as well....if we did not have the electoral college.....then they would only really have to focus on the large cities and that would be it.....which as I already said is going to have a great deal of differences on what they see as important.\n\n4.  The EC does give a better feel for what the country wants as a whole and not just what the larger populated areas want or feel is important....\n\nDo you really think that a Office manager for NYC really knows what kind of person would benefit the small agricultural communities and family farms of the mid-west....I don't....and that is a major part of this country....is that person more imporant....no.....\n\nKeep the college...in evens the playing field for several groups..\n\n1.  Urban-vs-Rural\n\n2. Conservatives-vs-liberals
699929
In a bond election, a government entity (city, county, etc.) seeks permission from the voters to sell bonds, usually to pay for a project such as roads, water/sewer improvements, or similar projects.  The bonds are sold to investors; at maturity they pay interest to the holders of the bonds.  The bonds are generally paid off from municipal revenues - mostly by taxes, which may include property tax, sales tax, etc.
880789
It all depends upon how much the majority holds.  In this one, it was HUGELY important, because the democrats now control the house (and I am not sure if they got the senate too - but I think so) which means while the president is important, the opposing party now controls the purse strings.\n\nIt probably is more important during the second term of a president, because that is historically when power shifts (did during clinton's etc.)  Mid term elections during the first term of a president are important, but probably just as important as a presidential election.\n\nHope this helps.
696232
sounds like NYC politics...dead voters and a free flu shot for all registered democrats...\n\nAs for KC...I love the Ribs over there...some of the BBQ in the country if not THE best.
696000
Well, when I took my political science courses in college, we learned that the most important time to rally is right before the election.  Many people have not made up their minds, and the chance to change the public's mind at last minute is great.  \n\nI already know who I'm voting for though.
790768
In Missouri, I voted for the lesser of two Evils, The Senate race was horrible! Mud slinging and dirty politics. If their was a third party Candidate I would have voted for him. Unfortunately when you vote for the lesser of two evils you still get evil!!
847787
The Constitution mandates elections to be held on Tuesday.\n\nIt started that way, because the country was originally mostly farmers and rural communities.  For a person to get to their polling place, it might take a day's ride into the nearest town. Sunday was already set aside for church, so voting on Tuesday would give the person Monday to ride to town, then Tuesday to vote and go home again.
234181
On Tuesday, the race was decided by 6,000 fewer voters, strange since open seats traditionally stir more excitement than a race where a popular incumbent is on the ballot against an opponent that wasn't considered much of a threat. Other factors certainly weighed into the equation, such as the contentious Democratic primary for governor that year. This time around, Blagojevich was considered a shoo-in, so the top of the ticket didn't generate a lot of excitement for Democrats. The Republican primary for governor was considered much less certain, so a number of people may have switched over and pulled a GOP ticket. What's more, the Republican contest for treasurer in Tazewell County likely lured would-be Democrats to take a Republican ballot as well.\n\nEven with all those factors, the numbers, or lack thereof, are staggering.\n\n"My thought was we'd have a big turnout in that district and we didn't" Howard said.
338039
The next national election, generally referred to as the "Mid-terms", du to the fact that the Presidential Election will not take place that year, will be held on the first Tuesday AFTER the first Monday in November.\n\nSo go cast your ballot November 7th of this year.  All the Representative & 1/3 of the Senators' seats will be up for grabs.