The Kansas City Defender is excited to be enhancing our political coverage for you this year; beyond the presidential election, Missouri and Kansas will be specifically deciding its school boards, senators, governor and more. For us however, while we view participation in electoral politics as crucial, we do not view it as the sole avenue for our community’s political and democratic expression. Our reporting provides holistic coverage and analysis of our community’s democratic expression beyond the ballot box.
This election year is already shaping up to be highly contentious. Community morale for the presidential election is at an all-time low, and Kansas City is contending with issues like the recent Super Bowl Mass Shooting, a police department under federal investigation for racism and discrimination, an ongoing assault on trans and reproductive rights, and the need for reparations.
Our coverage this year aims to fully investigate public officials in accordance with these issues by, both, holding candidates accountable to their actions in real-time, and fully analyzing how their running platforms will address the aforementioned and more. But, most notably, our coverage will share the work of organizers, community members and leaders building hope and Black futures beyond just one voting day.
Our goal this year is to make sure your vote is informed by our critical, community-driven, Black-centered reporting; and giving you the tools to take action in Kansas City. And sticking true to our youthful audience base, our coverage will engage audiences irrespective of age–meaning that even if you can’t vote yet, we’ll still keep you engaged and informed on the future of your community.
What you can expect from our coverage
The Defender is primed to equip Black Kansas Citians with needed knowledge around elections for public offices and pressing ballot questions this year. Beyond campaign promises, we want Kansas Citians to know how candidates have worked with Black community in the past and how capital is influencing candidates’ decision making. And for ballot questions, we want our community to know the full range of impact their vote will have on their city and its people.
Here’s our three committal tenets this year, and what specific actions you can expect from each:
Commitment to Truth
We’re committed to placing community voice on equal footing with government entities, ensuring that what candidates are saying actually match with community needs.
- How?
- Attending grassroots forums, debates and actions throughout this election cycle.
- Reporting on local movements and opinions regarding upcoming ballot questions
Commitment to Justice
We’re committed to researching major candidates on local ballots this year–as well as researching the players behind some of our states’ pressing ballot questions–to fully paint a picture to our audiences of what is at stake this year.
- How?
- Investigating major school board, senator and other candidates on public ballot this year.
- Examining local ballot questions and the ways people and their capital will be affected by our votes.
Commitment to Black Future
We’re committed to producing coverage this year that is specifically geared towards Black midwesterners, and the ways candidates are planning (or not) to show up for Black community during their tenure.
- How?
- Publishing a voters guide with questions geared towards issues specifically addressing Black Kansas and Missourians.
- Holding a Black voters town hall for our audiences to more fully engage with us on our coverage and what they’d like to see later this year.
What issues we’re covering this year
| Issue | Description |
|---|---|
| Public Safety + Accountability | In the shadow of the Super Bowl Mass Shooting, handled by what is ranked one of the worst city police departments in the nation, The Defender is focused on providing you coverage on how candidates will address public safety and police accountability this year. |
| Urban Planning | With an impending vote on a new Royals stadium in Kansas City’s Crossroads, and public housing and transportation crises reaching an all-time high, The Defender will bring you coverage that critically engages candidates on their ties to housing, development projects and public transit. |
| Local Ties to International Conflict | As conversations around American imperialism have hit the world stage, and linkages between Kansas/Missouri’s role in funding the genocide in Palestine continue to be exposed, The Defender is primed to fully inform readers on how local candidates are involved in the most pressing international conflicts of our time. |
| Reproductive Rights | With abortion rights on the ballot for Missouri this year, The Defender is committed to reporting on the ways grassroots organizers and candidates are showing up for reproductive justice and bodily autonomy this year. |
| Voting + American Democracy | With America’s history of suppressing the right to vote amidst Black folks–now manifesting itself as voter suppression and digital disinformation–The Defender is prepared to fully reveal to our readers how these tactics are showing up in the Midwest, and what ways people are combatting America’s failures to uphold democracy. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Defender nonpartisan?
- Yes; in the sense that our allegiance is to the truth and to our community before any political party. While we maintain journalistic integrity by providing factual, in-depth analysis, our coverage is driven by the imperative to dismantle systems of oppression and advocate for Black liberation.
- We understand the political spectrum not as a binary between Democrat and Republican, but as a landscape of varied positions and possibilities, with our primary commitment to the interests and well-being of Black people.
Will the Defender engage in any horse-race reporting?
No; our focus transcends the superficial contest of candidates and delves into the systemic issues and community impacts of political actions and policies. Our reporting is dynamic, prioritizing the exploration of significant issues affecting Black Kansas Citians and investigating the substantive positions and histories of local candidates, rather than merely tracking poll numbers or campaign narratives.
Will we be covering the presidential election?
Kind of; we will, of course, share the most major news concerning the presidential election, as well as if any matters at that-level will have a unique and direct impact on the residents of Missouri and Kansas. Otherwise, expect more local coverage from us this year.
What elections will The Kansas City Defender be covering?
- April 2nd Election (stadium sales tax and school board)
- July 17th – Advance voting begins in Kansas
- August 6th – State Primary Election (Missouri and Kansas)
- July 10th – Missouri voter registration deadline for primary
- July 16th – Kansas voter registration deadline for primary
- November 5th General Election (Missouri gubernatorial election – elect governor)
- October 9th – Missouri voter deadline for general election
- October 15th – Kansas voter deadline for general election
What does The Kansas City Council do?
- The Kansas City Council acts as the legislative and policy-making body of the city, establishing guidelines, approving ordinances, allocating funds, and endorsing budgets. Our coverage aims to demystify the workings of the City Council for our audience, providing insights into how their decisions impact our community and how our community can influence those decisions.
- More info: https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/city-officials/about-city-council#:~:text=The%2013%2Dmember%20City%20Council,legislative%20and%20policy%2Dmaking%20body
Where does the Defender get their information?
- Our main sources for news coverage will include:
- public records
- community interviews; public polling
- local organizers and grassroots organizations
- finance reports
Send Us Feedback on our Election Coverage
Let The Kansas City Defender know any questions, comments, or concerns you have around how we’re covering the 2024 elections this year. Anything in particular you want to see from us? Things we’re doing right or wrong? Let us know!
