Upcoming Events

Democracy is Coming to Jackson County (Missouri)

We are circulating initiative petitions for seven proposals: Four amendments to the Constitutional Home Rule Charter of Jackson County and three "ordinances".

Our primary focus is on one elegantly simple, yet incredibly powerful, pro-democracy amendment that will make it much easier for the people of Jackson County to govern: THE PERFECT DEMOCRACY AMENDMENT will allow citizens of Jackson County to sign any petitions provided for in our Constitutional Home Rule Charter electronically (online).

If at least 12,945 registered voters sign the petition for The Perfect Democracy Amendment by August 14th - it will be on the ballot in Jackson County on November 3rd. (Along with any other petitions for which we have gathered the required number of signatures.) If we fall short of gathering the required number of signatures by August 14th, we will continue collecting signatures on any of the petitions for which we do not yet have the required numbers of signatures until we do have the required number.

Come join in the fun as we celebrate the rebirth of Democracy in America.

A common theme of the events we are hosting to facilitate the initiative process will be to accentuate the joyous nature of promoting democracy. We are not protesting. Democracy is coming and we are celebrating (while organizing and doing the work of making our government our own).

Distribution of "Art Supplies" (Petitions and Literature)

August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd: At libraries where we have a volunteer to handle distribution.

The Art of Democracy at the Polls

August 4th. Primary Election Day. 6 am to 7 pm. Various polling places in Jackson County, Missouri.

We will need as many volunteers as possible to gather signatures on the Perfect Democracy Amendment and/or hand out literature at as many polling places as possible throughout the day. If you are willing and able to help please send an email to info@governmentbythepeople.org or use the contact form to volunteer.

We are in the process of planning a one-day mini-concert tour of as many polling places as possible by Winston Apple and the O.K. Chorale. We will post a list of polling places and times as soon as we complete a trial run to figure out how many stops Winston and the O. K. Chorale can manage. At each location, they will lead a sing-along consisting of "Power to the People", "Which Side Are You On?", and "This Land is Our Land".

Go to Contact Form

Primary Election Day After Parties

August 4th. Primary Election Day. 7 p.m. At a venue or venues to be determined.

A chance to unwind, share stories, and enjoy each other's company after a busy day at the polls.

There will be music. Lots and lots of music. And singing and celebrating.

Apple Jam: Winston Apple's Fabulous Birthday Bash

August 9th beginning at 6 p.m. at Knuckleheads. 2715 Rochester, Kansas City, MO

Winston Apple is having a birthday and he is hosting a benefit concert for the non-partisan, non-profit political organizations that are part of the campaign to make America a Perfect Democracy. The Winston Apple Jam Banned will perform. Members of the band include Steve DiFrance (who played drums with the well-known English ska band Bad Manners), David George (who has toured with John Fogerty of Credence Clearwater Revival in addition to fronting his own band), Robert Leonard (who has played bass on most of Winston's recent albums in addition to performing as a member of popular KC band Instamatics), and singer-songwriter and independent recording artist Lynn Grimes.

Winston doesn't want presents, he wants your presence. He doesn't want you to sign a card, he wants you to sign two initiative petitions. (If you are a registered voter in Jackson County.)

He would also like to encourage you to sing along and maybe even dance like nobody's watching.

There will be music. A lot of music.

The Art of Democracy - Town Hall Meeting and Concert

August 11th beginning at 5:00 pm in the Powerhouse Theater at the Roger T. Sermon Community Center. 201 North Dodgion Street, Independence, MO 64050. (At the intersection of Truman Road and Noland Road.)

The Agenda:

5 p.m. - Winston Apple (a Civics Teacher gone rogue) will moderate a Town Hall Meeting focused on our ballot proposals.

At 7 p.m., Winston will shift into performer mode and perform selections from the nineteen albums he has released as well as selections from his soon-to-be-released album - "The Art of Democracy".

Volunteers will be available in the lobby outside the theater between 7 pm and 9 pm to facilitate the signing of petitions and the distribution of petitions (and other campaign materials).

Petition Submissions?

August 14th - Jackson County Election Board.

We will submit petitions if we have enough signatures. If we do not have enough signatures, we will continue gathering signatures and turn them in at a later date.

The initiative process in Jackson County is the most citizen-friendly in the world because there is no limited time frame within which signatures need to be gathered. Sooner or later, all seven of our proposals will be on the ballot in Jackson County. Democracy is coming to Jackson County.

Some of the material on this website is adapted from a soon to be published book: Government by the People: Perfecting Democracy in the 21st Century by Winston Apple.

This website is paid for by Winston Apple - as a private citizen.

Government by the People