Residents across Steelville are still processing the results of the November 4 special election, where a proposed sales tax increase passed by just six votes—61 to 55. What makes this outcome especially concerning is that the same measure was voted on just a few months earlier, in April, and the citizens rejected it at that time.
Under Missouri law, a municipality must publish a sample ballot in the newspaper of record for two consecutive weeks before any election. This is not a technicality—it is a legal safeguard meant to ensure that voters know an election is coming and understand what they are being asked to decide.
But this time, that notice never appeared. The city has described the omission as a “processing error.” Regardless of the reason, the result is clear: many residents had no idea an election was happening. Turnout was noticeably lower than the November vote, and a measure previously voted down passed only after the required notice failed to run.
That should raise red flags for anyone who cares about fair elections, transparent governance, and public trust. When legally mandated steps are not followed, even unintentionally, it compromises the legitimacy of the outcome.
For that reason, Steelville’s citizens should not simply move on. The public has every right to expect that elections follow the law—and when they don’t, the remedy is to correct the mistake, not let it stand.
I urge residents to contact our City Council members, the Mayor, and the appropriate state authorities, including the Missouri Secretary of State’s office, to request accountability and a remedy. At minimum, the city should void the improperly noticed election or schedule a new vote conducted in full compliance with state law.
This issue is bigger than a tax measure. It is about protecting the integrity of our local democratic process. If we allow procedural failures to decide our elections, we weaken the voice of every voter in Steelville.
Let’s make sure this error is addressed openly, fairly, and with respect for the law—and ensure that the people’s voice is heard clearly and legitimately.
Jason Nichols
Steelville
