Election Officials Formally Notified Of Transportation Ballot Issue

Time constraints made things close, but all of Missouri’s 116 local election authorities have received official notification of the August 6th transportation ballot initiative. The ballot question had to be sent to local officials by today at 5 p.m. This put pressure on the formalization of the proposal by the Legislature, which had to sign off on the measure during an executive session which didn’t get underway until 1 p.m. The question was rushed to Secretary of State Matt Blunt, who affixed his seal of approval. The question was then faxed to election authorities throughout the state – and has been received by all 116 jurisdictions. The ballot initiative will ask Missourians whether the gas and sales tax should be raised to pay for road and bridge repairs and for other transportation issues. Governor Bob Holden says he’s pleased that voters will now have the opportunity to vote on the issue.