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Why did Missourians vote for liberal ballot items but conservative candidates?

The article from KCUR discusses the apparent contradiction in Missouri's 2024 election results where voters supported liberal ballot measures but elected conservative candidates. Missourians approved measures like Medicaid expansion, a $12 minimum wage, and the legalization of recreational marijuana, which are typically associated with progressive policies. However, they also voted for Republican candidates who often oppose such initiatives. This phenomenon is attributed to several factors: voter turnout dynamics, where different issues mobilize different voter bases; the influence of party loyalty where voters split their tickets based on candidate appeal rather than policy alignment; and the complexity of ballot measures which might not be fully understood by voters. Additionally, the article notes that while these liberal policies passed, the conservative legislature might still find ways to limit or reinterpret these voter-approved changes, highlighting a disconnect between voter intent and legislative action.

Read the Full KCUR 89.3 FM Article at [ https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2024-11-27/why-did-missourians-vote-for-liberal-ballot-items-but-conservative-candidates ]