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How democracy is under threat in Kansas and Missouri

By Steve Kraske,

Published September 15, 2022 at 6:51 PM CDT

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Protesters rallied in Mill Creek Park on Saturday, May 14, 2022 to protest the U.S. Supreme Court's draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade. — Protesters rallied in Mill Creek Park on May 14, 2022, after the leak of a U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade.

Sept. 15 is the International Day of Democracy. Alarms are sounding that democracy in America — once the example to the world — is in danger.

As part of Montclair State University's Democracy Day nationwide collaborative, Up To Date looked at the state of democracy in Kansas and Missouri.

Our focus was on three areas: candidates' refusal to engage with each other in public forums; redistricting; and voter laws.

Panelists highlighted signs of eroding institutional trust, disenfranchisement and concentration of power in both states.

Eli Yokley, senior reporter covering politics and campaigns, Morning Consult
Bob Beatty, professor and chair, political science department, Washburn University
Stephanie Clayton (D-District 19), Kansas State Representative
Peverill Squire, Hicks and Martha Griffiths Chair in American Political Institutions, University of Missouri
Greg Vonnahme, chair of the department of political science, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Janet Milkovich, president,Johnson County League of Women Voters

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Up To Date Podcast politics Government voting rights voter ID Voter registration League of Women Voters voter fraud debate

Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Lisa Rodriguez

Slow news days are a thing of the past. As KCUR’s news director, I want to cut through the noise, provide context to the headlines, and give you news you can use in your daily life – information that will empower you to make informed decisions about your neighborhood, your city and the region. Email me at lisa@kcur.org or follow me on Twitter @larodrig.

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Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

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