JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC

Let’s have three cheers for a new voting provision in Missouri that has cried out for years to be implemented: Starting today, residents can vote absentee without any excuse, such as incapacitation or being out of the city on Election Day.

Many times I have gone down to the Election Board at Union Station and lied in order to vote absentee, motivated largely by simply wanting to avoid the long lines on general election days.

Now, I will be able to go down and vote with an entirely clear conscience.

I urge you readers to do the same — any time between today and Monday, Nov. 7 — because this is a long and complicated ballot, and there will be long lines at some times during the day on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

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Now that we’ve indulged in those three cheers — that made me hoarse — let’s move on to the ballot itself.

Before every election, two or three people call and ask me for my voting recommendations. While I certainly am not a font of political and election knowledge, I probably know more than the average Kansas Citian, simply because I’m a news and political junkie.

So, this year I’m going to make my recommendations here.

Disclaimer: I’m only making recommendations on races and issue that I know something about or that I consider more important than some of the others.

:: For U.S. Senator, Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine over Republican Eric Schmitt

:: For state auditor, Democrat Alan Green over Republican Scott Fitzpatrick

:: For U.S. Representative, Democrat Emanuel Cleaver II over Republican Jacob Turk

:: For state senator in the 8th District, Democrat Antoine D. Jennings over Republican Mike Cierpiot

:: For Jackson County Executive, Democrat Frank White over Republican Theresa Cass Galvin

:: For 3rd District at-large County Legislator, Democrat Megan Marshall over Republican Lance Dillenschneider

:: Retention on judges, “YES” on all

:: Constitutional Amendment 1: This would broaden the list of options for the state treasurer to invest funds in higher-interest-bearing securities. Currently the constitution limits the treasurer to investments in federal or agency bonds. “YES”

:: Amendment 3: This would legalize recreational marijuana — good — but it contains provisions that would give an unfair advantage to existing medical-marijuana commercial entities. The political “fix” was in on the approval of medical-marijuana licenses, and it would be the same here. This is almost guaranteed to pass…and guaranteed to be implemented unfairly. “NO”

:: Amendment 4: This largely Republican-backed measure, aimed specifically at the Kansas City Police Department, would increase the percentage of general-fund money the city would be required to spend on the police department. Even though it applies only to KCMO, it will be voted on statewide because the police department is run by a state-appointed board of commissioners. Many voters will not understand it, and many will vote for it because, on its face, it sounds reasonable. It’s not. “NO”

:: Amendment 5: This would create a state Department of the National Guard. Currently, the National Guard is under the wing of the Department of Public Safety. In recommending against this amendment, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said the military “does not need a seat at the table of civilian government” and that the measure “seems like a quick way to politicize a position that must remain apart from politics.” “NO”

:: Also on the ballot is an unnumbered question asking if there should be a “Constitutional Convention.” By law, this question must appear on the ballot every 20 years, and that is the only reason it’s on the ballot now…The Post-Dispatch said a constitutional convention “would have a tendency to attract wackos and weirdos at a time when the state already has a bumper crop of them.” Enough said. “NO”

:: Jackson County Question 1: This would renew a quarter-cent sales tax for the Community Children’s Services Fund. “YES”

:: KCMO Question 1: This would authorize issuance of $125 million in general obligation bonds, consisting of $45 million for convention facilities and $80 million for Parks Department facilities and services. “YES”

:: KCMO Question 2: This would authorize the issuance of $50 million to provide affordable housing. “YES”

:: KCMO Question 3: This would remove about 12 acres from the parks system to make way for realignment of Tiffany Springs Parkway in the Northland. “YES”

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For detailed information on the issues and candidates in your area, you can go to the League of Women Voters website and enter your address.

In KCMO, you can vote absentee at Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road, lower level, Suite 610, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, from today until Monday, Nov. 7.