Reader’s Corner: Read before you vote

At a recent meeting centered around Missouri’s proposed Constitutional amendments, attendees discussed the importance of carefully researching the background of ballot questions, or in the case of an amendment, reading the entire proposed amendment before deciding how to vote. Since the ballot is obviously a condensed version, wording matters—and voters may not get the entire picture by just showing up on election day with no prior research. 

The concept of being an informed voter ought to be considered just plain common sense; and during our country’s early days, it would have been. Our Founding Fathers were voracious readers of classical writings and the Bible, and also prolific writers who capably expressed their opinions in documents such as the Federalist Papers. Even those who opposed some of the founding principles were usually able to write their opinions clearly. 

Enter the problem nowadays: Reading skills have declined. Citing figures from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, a 2025 ShowMe Institute paper stated that Missouri’s reading scores have not returned to pre-COVID 19 levels; and in all but two grades, they are actually lower than in 2020-21. Some sources believe the downward trend started well before, but was exacerbated by, the pandemic.  

Missouri has not been the only state in such a predicament, although some states have adopted policies to address the problem. Simply throwing more taxpayer dollars toward it isn’t the only answer, although we must certainly make sure our schools and teachers have the resources they need. Many are advocating a return to more classical education styles, some are limiting use of screens or postponing it until higher grade levels, and some are even instituting mandatory retention at certain grade levels until reading proficiency is achieved. 

Returning to the current concern as August and then November draw closer—being an informed voter is absolutely necessary if we are to retain the freedoms we enjoy in the U.S.A. We can encourage this by sharing information with friends and neighbors, providing them with accessible links or printed copies, and of course, by encouraging renewed focus on reading in our schools and communities.