Think and Drink: Crash Course for Kansas and Missouri Voters
July 16 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm CDT
Join us for a special nonpartisan community discussion designed to help voters better understand the upcoming August primary elections in Kansas and Missouri before heading to the polls. We will not be endorsing any particular candidate or telling anyone how to vote, just explaining the ballot questions.
This moderated panel will break down the major races, ballot questions, and policy debates shaping the Kansas City metro and beyond. State and local elections shape people’s daily lives far more directly than many realize, especially when it comes to public schools, constitutional rights, taxes, courts, and local government.
In a metro area split between Kansas and Missouri, voters are not just choosing candidates; they are deciding who holds power, how schools are governed, how courts interpret rights, and how much influence citizens themselves will have over the political process.
The larger goal of the event is to help people feel more informed, less overwhelmed, and more confident walking into the voting booth. Rather than telling people what to think, the discussion aims to explain how these systems work, why these races and amendments matter, and how political, educational, and constitutional debates in Kansas and Missouri are increasingly shaping the future of the Kansas City region.
This free Think & Drink lecture is open to all ESU members and the public, but RSVP is required. You will also receive at least one reminder email about the event when you RSVP.
When: Thursday, July 16, 2026, 6:00 pm
Location: Casual Animal Brewing, 1725 McGee Street Kansas City, MO
Tickets: Free admission but RSVP is required. Click here and scroll down to July 16 to RSVP.
About Think & Drink Lecture Series:
Think & Drink is an exciting new kind of event that combines educational topics with social gatherings. This one-hour lecture program was launched in July of 2025 by Casual Animal Brewing Company, a microbrewery in the East Crossroads area, south of downtown Kansas City. The lectures are held on the first and third Thursday of every month and bring together experts, academics, and curious minds for evening talks on topics that generate fresh perspectives, ideas, and discussion. No topic is off the table.