Kansas City area votes on schools & jails Tuesday: Last-minute guide to the ballot
Whether you’ve been following local politics or not, voters on the Missouri side of the Kansas City area can go to the polls Tuesday for the general municipal election.
From Liberty and Kansas City to Independence and Raytown, residents will decide if they will fund school renovations, new police buildings and infrastructure projects. They will also choose mayors, city council members, school board members and more.
Johnson County residents went to the polls last week, and Wyandotte County will vote next week.
Here’s what you need to vote today on local issues.
When is Election Day?
Election Day is Tuesday, April 8, for the Kansas City area and other Missouri cities. Polling places are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
As in all elections, if you’re in line when the polls close in the evening, you still have a right to vote, so stay in line until you’re able to cast a ballot.
What is on the ballot?
In Kansas City, residents will choose school board members and decide whether to put tax money toward school buildings and/or a new jail.
Here are some of the other issues on the ballot in some other municipalities
- Independence: bonds for a variety of public works projects
- Blue Springs: councilmembers and changes to election referendum procedures
- Grandview: city officials including mayor and aldermen
- Raytown: city officials including aldermen and municipal judge
- North Kansas City: School building improvements and school board members
- Park Hill: Money for Park Hill school buildings
- Liberty: Money for law enforcement salaries and buildings, plus city officials including mayor
Where is my polling place?
Missouri voters should check with the state’s voter information search tool at voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov. You can also look directly at your local election board’s website or check for a postcard sent through the mail.
What ID do I need in Missouri?
Registered Missouri voters will need a current or recently expired photo ID issued by the federal or Missouri governments. IDs from other states are not accepted. Usable forms of photo ID for Missouri include:
A Missouri driver’s license or a state ID that is current or expired after Nov. 5, 2024
A non-expired military ID, including a veteran ID card that is current or expired after Nov. 5, 2024
A U.S. passport or another form of photo ID issued by the U.S. government or the state of Missouri that is current or expired after Nov. 5, 2024
If you don’t have one of these forms of identification but registered to vote in Missouri before March 13, you can cast a provisional ballot.
How do I reach my election office?
If you have questions about voting eligibility, accessibility, registration or locations, contact your local election board.
- Kansas City Election Board (Kansas City residents in Jackson County): 816-842-4820
- Jackson County Election Board (rest of Jackson County, like Raytown or Independence): 816-325-4600
- Clay County Board of Election Commissioners (all of Clay County): 816-415-8683
- Platte County Board of Elections: 816-858-4400
What positions do The Star endorse?
The Opinion team at The Star shared their endorsements for April 8 questions and candidates around the metro, which can be found at KansasCity.com/Opinion/Editorials. The Opinion staff is independent and editorially separate from The Star’s newsroom.
How can I get election results?
Results from Kansas City area races will be posted on KansasCity.com as they come in Tuesday night.
This story was originally published April 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
