The current Missouri Democratic Party Platform identifies a set of key principles that we believe in and support. The Platform serves as a foundation for the issues we take on, for the candidates we endorse, and for the votes we cast. 

Take a moment to read through an abbreviated version of our Platform; the entire document can be found here. 

As you read we encourage you to ask yourself, “Am I a Democrat?” 

Our Economy

Democrats recognize that to grow our Missouri economy we must support our local farms, keep manufacturing jobs in Missouri, and help small businesses to grow.

We support agriculture, manufacturing, and small businesses. 

Business and Community Development

Missouri businesses in cooperation with working people can create economic prosperity. It is the role of government to encourage and regulate business in order to create economic opportunity for all. 

We support reasonable regulations, community reinvestments, small business development, economic investment, responsible use of economic development funds, affordable housing for all Missourians; and the ability of counties and local municipalities to set stricter standards than those required by the state for land use and local development.  

Labor

Democrats recognize that for Missouri to have a skilled labor force it must have strong labor unions that will teach, defend, and sustain the worker for Missouri’s economy.

We support the prevailing wage, and reject any attempts to reduce wages and/or benefits of Missouri workers; the American labor movement and workers’ rights; and collective organizing and bargaining; adequate compensation for injured workers; equal pay for equal work initiatives; passage of the Equal Rights Amendment; and raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour. We also support universal childcare and paid parental leave for both parents and zero tolerance for sexual harassment in the workplace. 

Healthcare

Missouri Democrats believe that access to healthcare is a fundamental right and not a privilege. 

We support sustaining and expanding the Affordable Care Act; expanding Medicaid; full restoration of the Missouri RX program; a comprehensive prescription drug monitoring program; a woman’s right to choose and the right of every person to their own bodily autonomy. 

Civil Rights/Human Rights

Missouri Democrats believe in equal treatment under the law for every Missourian regardless of race, color, age, physical, intellectual, and/or developmental abilities, economic status, religion, creed, sex, national origin, ethnicity, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Missouri Democrats support adding “sexual orientation and gender identity” to the non-discrimination laws and policies of our state, and the passage of hate crime legislation to protect equal rights. 

We support sustaining the Civil Rights Act at the federal, state and local levels; the Black Lives Matter movement and civil rights, the end of institutional racism, and fair and impartial policing. We support Federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and oppose discrimination based on immigration status. We support passage of the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (MONA); free speech rights of all Missourians; and the abolition of the death penalty. 

Education

Missouri Democrats believe that every child in Missouri should have access to free, quality, public education regardless of zip code.

We support a fully funded public-school system and oppose expansion of charter schools and vouchers; fully funded school meal programs for those in need; and restoration of the five-day school week. We support community colleges enrollment opportunities to every Missourian and access to affordable higher education in Missouri’s public colleges and universities. 

Environment

Missouri Democrats believe that Missouri’s natural resources must be protected, and our national and state parks must be maintained. From our lakes and rivers, plains in the North and Ozark Mountains to the South, we must take responsibility for our states natural wonders. 

We oppose fracking, large corporate-owned farms, and illegal dumping. We support strengthening environmental standards for clean air and water, as well as alternative energy sources such as wind and solar. We support our local municipalities’ right to institute plastic bag bans, straw bans, and other environmental protections. 

Tax and Budget Policy

Missouri Democrats believe that to have a strong economy, we must have a tax policy that supports working families.

We support a progressive tax structure with minimal reliance on sales and excise taxes. We support exempting senior citizens living in a single-family home from paying property taxes if their income doesn’t exceed 125% of the poverty level, and we support closing corporate tax loopholes to ensure that big businesses pay their fair share. We also support a sound fiscal policy and a balanced budget. 

Public Safety and Crime Prevention

We advocate for law enforcement policies that protect constitutional rights combined by crime prevention programs that emphasize education, treatment, and health care. We must have a criminal justice system that focuses on rehabilitation, is fair, and works to decrease the number of people who are incarcerated.

We support protecting crime victims through the mandatory arrest of domestic abusers, coupled with government funded programs to support victims of abuse. We support the dignity and safety of all offenders during incarceration, and incarcerated individuals having access to care that meets their medical needs. We also support eliminating minimum mandatory sentencing and enabling prosecutorial discretion with an emphasis on treatment, rehabilitation and education to lower the chance of repeat offenders. 

We support reasonable firearm policies that promote public safety and crime prevention without infringing on second amendment rights. We also advocate for training and accountability for law enforcement agencies to assist staff in recognizing mental health concerns in individuals pending arrest and/or detention.

We support the decriminalization, legalization, regulation, and taxation of marijuana for adult use; community policing; utilization of law enforcement body cameras; law enforcement training to use non-lethal action during arrest or detainment; abolition of capital punishment; eliminating jail time as punishment for being behind in paying child support; and full restoration of voting rights for people convicted of crimes. 

Infrastructure

Missouri Democrats know that we must address our crumbling infrastructure and put Missourians to work while creating a 21st Century infrastructure system. 

We support rebuilding our roads and bridges; maintaining and modernizing our energy outlets; statewide broadband accessibility; high-speed rail system development and other public transportation; clean drinking water; and access to healthcare and emergency services. 

Governmental Accountability to the Public

We pledge to protect the rights of all citizens through fair elections, responsible government, and decreasing the influence of special interests in our political process to ensure that people, not large corporations and special interests, control our elections. 

We support campaign finance reform; ensuring standards of ethical conduct and accountability for elected officials; and ensuring public availability of government information. We support the corporate money ban instituted by the National Democratic Party and ensuring the right of every Missourian to exercise their constitutional rights to vote without undue burdens as well as automatic and same day voter registration. We support early voting as well as the elimination of voter ID laws and any other regulations that impede voting access.

So, Are You a Democrat? 

If you share the values of our State Party’s Platform, you’re a Democrat. Consider joining us. Be a part of positive change in Franklin County, across Missouri and our great nation. 

Not sure where to start? Here are a few suggestions: 

Become a Franklin County Democratic Central Committee member. We meet the last Monday of each month and focus on legislative issues as well as promoting Democratic causes in our area. 

Join a Democratic caucus group. We have multiple statewide groups that focus on specific issues, such as Women’s Caucus, Rural Missouri Caucus, Black Caucus, and so on. 

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We keep you up to date on a variety of issues, upcoming events and calls to action. 

Have a special interest or skill? Reach out to us and we can help you find a way to utilize your gifts to help others. 

Be a part of the Blue Wave and get involved as a Democrat. 

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The Franklin County Democratic Central Committee meets the last Monday of each month. Due to COVID, meetings are currently being held via Zoom. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 

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