Missouri

What is ranked-choice voting, and should Missouri ban it? • Missouri Independent

Published

2 years ago

October 22, 2024

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What is ranked-choice voting, and should Missouri ban it? • Missouri Independent

Ranked-choice voting is on the rise in the U.S., with two U.S. states and 45 U.S. cities now using some version of it.

This November, Missourians will have the opportunity to ban it.

Advocates of ranked-choice voting argue that it solves the problems of other voting methods, while detractors counter that it makes elections unnecessarily complicated.

Here in the U.S., plurality voting is the most commonly used system to elect people to serve in government. Using this method, whichever candidate has the most votes after a single round wins. Proponents of plurality voting point out that it is easy to understand and implement.

One problem arises, however, when there are several people running for office. In those cases, the vote could be split several ways, and the overall winner may not actually be very popular.

Some places that have experienced these sorts of results have chosen to adopt an electoral system aimed at ensuring that winners have majority support, such as runoff voting. However this method can lead to several rounds of elections (particularly if it’s also used during the primaries), which can be expensive for governments to organize. Plus, it requires voters to take additional time off work and other duties, which can reduce voter turnout.

In hopes of ensuring that winners have majority support while minimizing the downsides of runoff voting, some places have adopted ranked-choice voting.

The way this system typically works is that voters rank candidates in order of preference. A candidate can win outright by receiving the majority of first-preference votes. If that doesn’t happen, the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated, and voters who picked that candidate as their first choice will have their next choice counted. If there still is not a winner, then the candidate with the next fewest votes is also eliminated. This process continues with candidates eliminated one-by-one until one candidate has obtained a majority.

Proponents of ranked-choice voting argue that it takes less time and money versus runoff voting because all votes are cast on one day on one ballot.

Given that voters get to rank multiple candidates, another potential benefit of ranked-choice voting is that it can encourage moderation among candidates as they vie for voters’ second, or subsequent, preferences.

Because ranked-choice voting is a different system than most Americans are familiar with, one potential problem is confusion. Some critics incorrectly claim that ranked-choice voting lets voters cast more than one ballot per person, but in fact each voter gets just one vote.

With that said, voters who are unfamiliar with ranked-choice voting may run into issues. For example, ballots filled out incorrectly, such as by marking the same preference twice, can be considered invalid. Also, failing to rank all of the candidates may result in a ballot being ignored in later rounds of counting.

But teaching people how the system works can reduce such problems.

Already outlawed in Missouri, noncitizen voting ban will appear on statewide ballot

At present, both Maine and Alaska have adopted versions of ranked-choice voting. In 2020, Maine re-elected Republican Susan Collins to the U.S. Senate. In 2022, Alaska reelected Republican Lisa Murkowski to the U.S. Senate. Both Collins and Murkowski are often considered among the most moderate members of Congress.

This is not surprising because in order to win under ranked-choice voting, candidates need to be broadly popular. A moderate Republican, for instance, would get votes from Republicans, but they might also be the second or third choice among some Democrats because those Democrats would likely prefer a moderate Republican over a far-right Republican.

Similarly, a moderate Democrat would get votes from Democrats, but they might also be the second or third choice among some Republicans because those Republicans would likely prefer a moderate Democrat over a far-left Democrat.

For example, in the 2022 special election for Alaska’s at-large congressional district, Alaskans chose to elect moderate Democrat Mary Peltola over far-right Republican Sarah Palin. Peltola is the first Democrat to serve as Alaska’s representative in the U.S. House since 1972. In her two years in office, she’s voted against her own party more than nearly every other Democrat.

On Nov. 5, Missourians will have the opportunity to vote on Amendment 7. If passed, this amendment would do two things: (1) it would ban noncitizens from voting, and (2) it would prohibit the use of rank choice voting.

First of all, here in Missouri, it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote.

Second, when deciding whether or not Missouri should prohibit ranked-choice voting, one should first think about who this change would benefit.

Recall that rank choice voting makes it easier for moderates to win and more difficult for politicians at the extremes to win. Whether this is good or bad depends upon whether you consider yourself a moderate Democrat/Republican or an extreme Democrat/Republican.

For far-left Democrats or far-right Republicans, voting ‘yes’ on Amendment 7 is probably in your best interest, as Missouri would keep plurality voting, which favors the type of politicians you support.

For moderate Democrats or moderate Republicans, voting ‘no’ on Amendment 7 is probably in your best interest. It does not mean that Missouri will adopt rank choice voting. It would, however, leave the door open for Missourians to one day adopt it should we so choose, and at that point, moderate politicians would have a better shot at winning.

Americans often think that the best way to influence change is to win the game by ensuring that our preferred politician wins the election.

However, politicians come and go, and an often-overlooked way to influence the game is by changing the rules of the game itself.

Do you like the current rules? Or, at some point, would you like to change them? Amendment 7 gives you a choice.

GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for May 8, 2026

Published

12 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing

37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 8 drawing

Midday: 4-6-2

Midday Wild: 6

Evening: 1-3-0

Evening Wild: 6

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 8 drawing

Midday: 1-1-1-9

Midday Wild: 3

Evening: 8-8-9-9

Evening Wild: 8

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 8 drawing

Early Bird: 13

Morning: 11

Matinee: 15

Prime Time: 07

Night Owl: 13

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 8 drawing

02-18-20-23-36

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Missouri

Judge denies Missouri attorney general’s bid to halt 7-OH kratom sales by American Shaman

Published

24 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

Judge denies Missouri attorney general’s bid to halt 7-OH kratom sales by American Shaman

A Jackson County judge on Friday denied Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s attempt to immediately stop Kansas City-based CBD American Shaman and several affiliated companies from selling kratom products.

The motion for a temporary restraining order, which was filed alongside the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, took particular aim at the more potent 7-OH products, which Hanaway argues are “hazardous opioids” banned by state and federal law.

Jackson County Circuit Judge Charles McKenzie’s ruling Friday stated there are “competing affidavits” from experts on both sides of the argument, following a hearing on the motion earlier this week.

“The court cannot find, based on the oral argument of the parties, the respective competing affidavits presented and the pleadings, whether the plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits at this juncture in the proceedings in order for the court to grant relief in the form of a temporary restraining order,” McKenzie’s order states.

Hanaway’s argument was backed by sworn statements from an undercover narcotics officer with the highway patrol who said 7-OH is being used to cut fentanyl and a woman whose brother died from a kratom overdose. Her office also submitted a FDA report that points to 7-OH as “a potent opioid that poses an emerging public health threat” and state health data showing synthetic 7-OH was involved in at least 197 Missouri deaths.

American Shaman submitted statements of its own from five toxicology and addiction experts, who largely said there wasn’t enough evidence to show that 7-OH and kratom posed a public health risk. One who researched narcotics said she had never heard of 7-OH being used to cut fentanyl.

Company owner Vince Sanders’ statement detailed how he came up with the idea to create 7-OH products, which now has an “enormous” demand particularly among people who need pain management.

Sanders could not be reached for comment about the ruling Friday.

McKenzie denied a temporary restraining order “without prejudice,” meaning that he would like to see more evidence.

“It is because of this finding that the court determines it necessary to hold an additional hearing,” he wrote, “where it can consider the parties respective positions with the potential of testimonial evidence and other properly introduced evidence, all as more fully developed by the parties, in order to further analyze these issues.”

The judge will consider “other injunctive relief sought in the pleadings at a future hearing to consider the issues,” the order states.

Hanaway filed a similar lawsuit Thursday against Relax Relief Rejuvenate Trading LLC, and its owners Dustin Robinson and Ajaykumar Patel.

The group received a warning letter from the FDA for producing 7-OH products last year similar to one received by Shaman Botanicals.

“This is another step in our ongoing crackdown on kratom manufacturers who flout the law and try to justify endangering Missourians in the name of profit,” Hanaway said in a press release Thursday. “Our mission is to safeguard Missourians from unregulated and addictive substances, and we will continue to pursue every legal tool available to protect public health and safety.”

This story was originally published by the Missouri Independent.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for May 7, 2026

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 7, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 7 drawing

Midday: 7-3-5

Midday Wild: 7

Evening: 4-7-4

Evening Wild: 3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 7 drawing

Midday: 7-0-4-4

Midday Wild: 3

Evening: 4-3-4-7

Evening Wild: 4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 7 drawing

Early Bird: 14

Morning: 13

Matinee: 01

Prime Time: 03

Night Owl: 11

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 7 drawing

01-08-24-28-34

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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