Robynn Kuhlmann, Ph.D.
kuhlmann@ucmo.edu
University of Central Missouri
Country: United States (Missouri)
About Me:
Robynn Kuhlmann is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Central Missouri. Her field of expertise include state politics, voting and elections, and political parties. Her research interests include how political institutions affect political behavior.
Research Interests
Elections, Election Administration, and Voting Behavior
State and Local Politics
Political Parties and Interest Groups
Voter Turnout
Countries of Interest
United States
Publications:
Journal Articles:
Approximately 12.7% of Americans are considered to have a disability. Yet, despite belonging to a potentially significant voting bloc, people with disabilities report high rates of abstention from voting. Prior research examining difficulties those with disabilities can have in casting a ballot find that convenience voting reforms, such as mail-in voting rules, may increase the likelihood that an individual with a disability reports voting. States offer a variety of methods in which voters may cast a mail-in ballot and they vary in restrictiveness, raising the question of how these election administration laws affect turnout rates among people with disabilities. We examine the effects of state election administration laws on voter turnout at the state and individual levels for people with disabilities and compare them to their effects on the non-disabled population for the years 2008–2020. We find that convenience voting reforms such as same-day registration and electionday registration boost turnout for both populations by similar magnitudes while all mail elections decrease the turnout gap between people with disabilities and the non-disabled. We also find that strict photo identification laws have disparate effects on people with disabilities, similar to prior findings on marginalized groups.
According to reformers, legislative term limits should increase voter turnout by enhancing electoral competitiveness for legislative seats. However, this claim has been largely untested. The only existing study of the effect of legislative term limits on voter turnout, to date, finds that turnout in California did not increase after the imposition of term limits and may have decreased turnout. Yet, it is unclear whether this result generalizes to other states. This study employs a comparative state analysis of both aggregate turnout and district-level turnout rates in state legislative elections. We find that term limits significantly increase voting rates in state legislative elections.
Books Written:
This second edition expands upon Missouri government and history giving students an insight into the development of Missouri's Constitution. It includes updated chapters on political culture, the structure of Missouri's government, and integrates current events. This updated version also includes chapter questions and primary documents for students to evaluate.
This book is meant to be a brief guide to the Missouri Constitution and politics for students who are taking courses in American government. State constitutions, in general, are often overlooked due a primary focus on national politics. While many are paying attention to a plethora of issues framed in the context of national politics, such as national security, immigration, welfare, and abortion, discussion about a state’s action and state constitutional provisions are often overlooked. Much of the political action in the United States is at the state level. With recent patterns of U.S. Congress deemed the ‘do nothing Congress,’ states are far from inactive in creating, implementing, and affecting the day to day lives of citizens. Indeed, Missouri is a state that fits this mold.
Book Chapters:
Is there a linkage between "smart power" and Hillary Clinton's leadership style? Can she advance American leadership and women's development worldwide? The Global Hillary addresses these questions and many others. Bringing together two key aspects of Clinton’s ongoing career―her advocacy for international women’s rights and the mission to foster democratic development around the world―The Global Hillary critically analyzes Clinton’s role as a transformative leader of global influence. Essays in this collection provide insight into Clinton’s leadership style, particularly her use of American "smart power" in foreign policy, while examining her impact on the continuing worldwide struggle for women’s rights. Using international perspectives on the historical and cultural contexts of Clinton’s leadership, this book also looks toward the future of women’s political leadership in the 21st century with special attention to the prospect of electing a woman to the United States presidency.
Other:
(Commentary) In 2020, Missouri's voters were set to decide on a constitutional amendment that would reverse the passage of a 2018 ballot initiative. If passed, Amendment 3 would roll back implementation of the efficiency gap to redistrict state legislative seats. Known as one of the most unique redistricting schemes in the United States, this commentary weighs in on the costs and benefits of the choice Missourians had over changes to the redistricting process.
In recent years, some commentators have proposed introducing Congressional term limits as a way of decreasing gridlock in the US House and to increase the public’s trust for politicians. But would such limits actually be effective in re-energizing the democratic process? Daniel C. Lewis and Robynn Kuhlmann examine the effects of term limits in the 15 US states that have introduced them since the 1990s. They find that term limits can significantly increase voter turnout as well as encouraging people to vote in down-ballot races.
The US Senate race in Missouri between incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill and Republican state Attorney General Josh Hawley is one of only a small number of toss-up races in the 2018 midterms. Robynn Kuhlmann writes that while McCaskill has had to walk a political tightrope by embracing more moderate positions to appeal to a wider base of voters, Hawley has focused on energizing the state’s conservative base by accusing his opponent of being too liberal for the Show Me State.
Less than a month ago, Missouri’s Republican Governor Eric Greitens resigned in the wake of a number of scandals including accusations of corruption and sexual misconduct. Robynn Kuhlmann writes that Greitens’ resignation means that politics in the Republican-dominated Show Me State are now more or less back to normal, and that state Democrats should not expect an electoral bump this fall. Even the state’s US Senator, Claire McCaskill, faces a tough race to keep her seat as her Republican challenger, state Attorney General Josh Hawley’s, political fortunes have benefited from Greitens’ resignation.
Republican Roy Blunt won Missouri’s open Senate seat in 2010 by a wide margin, but is now running neck and neck with his 2016 challenger, Democrat Jason Kander. As part of our series covering key Senate races in the 2016 election, Robynn Kuhlmann writes that Kander’s anti-establishment campaign which has called for change has turned Blunt’s incumbency into a disadvantage.
Media Appearances:
Radio Appearances:
With political seasons come lots of polls. Being able to trust a poll depends on different factors that can be hard to understand without knowledge of statistics and how it was conducted.
Missouri voters will decide whether to hold a convention to overhaul the state constitution
With Labor Day Done, Election Season in Missouri and Kansas Kicks of in Full.
Missouri Voters will Decide Whether to Further Expand Statewide Office Term Limits.
Election Season Begins.
Missouri voters will decide two big issues in November, term limits and gerrymandering. Amendment 1 would impose a two-term limit on the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor and attorney general, while Amendment 3 would change the redistricting process that Clean Missouri envisioned when voters adopted it in 2018.
Missouri Voters Will Decide Whether To Further Expand Statewide Office Term Limit
Seg. 1: Hawley's Political Moves | Seg. 2: Bobby Watson's Next Chapter
Why Kansas City Voters Are Turning Out.
Missouri’s New Redistricting Rules Are Unique In The U.S., And Not Immune From Changing
Lawmakers React To Gov. Greitens' Indictment.
state senator faces likely expulsion
A Third Option for Fed-Up Voters
Analysis of the 2016 Missouri Primary results
Political Pundits: Election Aftermath
Political Pundits: Midterm Election Blitz
Newspaper Quotes:
Vicky Hartzler presses on without Trump in Missouri’s US Senate race
Missouri Politics, Campaigns Are Flooded With Firearms
Open US House Seats Draw Large Field of Missouri Republicans
Republicans turned rural Missouri deep red. But will they send Eric Greitens to the Senate?
Schmitt leads in Senate race despite Missourians’ support of abortion rights, new poll shows
What is a constitutional convention? And is it time for one in Missouri? The question comes up on your ballot every 20 years, but will it actually pass, and what does it mean?
Senate hopeful flexes power of AG’s office through lawsuits
Beaches, Bears, Vineyards, and Pencils: Ballots & Boundaries
Social media ads another battleground to reach voters in Missouri governor’s race
COVID-19 reshuffles 2020 Missouri governors race between Parson and Galloway.
Full-court press against medicaid expansion in Missouri.
Missouri Gov. Parson, like Trump, bets campaign against 'lawlessness' will win votes.
Galloway, in final stretch, pitches health reform as virus spreads through Missouri.
Amendment would impose term limits on statewide positions.
'There's been a lot of talk': Kansas, Missouri Republicans sidestep Trump and COVID.
Social media ads another battleground to reach voters in Missouri governor's race.
Op-Ed: Missouri redistricting vote opens door to experiment, regardless of outcome.
Abortion Among Key Issues in Missouri 2020 Governor's Race
Is Greitens planning a comeback? Missouri Gov. Parson’s political team taking no chances
How gerrymandering paved the way for the US's anti-abortion movement
Parson’s longtime friend is a lobbyist, and their money ties could cloud governor’s bid
Missouri GOP Gov. Parson announces 2020 bid to keep his job
Missouri Congressman invites Trump to deliver State of the Union in Springfield
Why Sen. Claire McCaskill's Final Effort To Bridge Missouri's Divides Fell Short
Despite Troubled Tenure And New Indictment, Some Voters Are Standing By Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens
Flipping the Script on Obamacare - The once-maligned health care law has seen even some of its staunchest opponents tone down their rhetoric.
‘Not far enough left’? McCaskill takes moderate approach in Senate race with Hawley
Missouri campaigners gear up for right-to-work vote
Right-to-work vote is coming in Missouri, but will a change in timing boost GOP?
Greitens ‘doesn't have a friend.’ Does it matter for Republican legislative hopefuls?
A Democrat flips a Missouri House seat, and GOP infighting ensues
As unions spend big, right-to-work’s proponents need ‘more money than we’ve got’
Hawley under fire on pre-existing conditions as pressure from Dems mounts
Where’s Gov. Greitens? Not with Trump on this visit to Missouri
McCaskill plans to vote against embattled Kavanaugh for Supreme Court seat
Nonpartisan groups register 87,000 in effort to engage black Missourians in midterms
Unions give big to block ‘right to work’ in expensive Missouri ballot initiative race
Republicans worry Greitens will ‘burn it all down’ and threaten Hawley’s chances
Blackmail allegations put Greitens’ ability to govern, political future at grave risk
Greitens’ resignation shifts Missouri’s focus to Senate race
Missouri political scientist doubtful Trump intervenes in Greitens’ fate
Why Trump could create headaches for both McCaskill, Hawley in critical Senate race
McCaskill not surprised by release of Bannon, pressed on Charlottesville protest
McCaskill at town hall: ‘My job isn’t to fight the president’
Jason Kander wants you to know that he’s running for Senate as a veteran
Missouri Republicans backed by megadonor Rex Sinquefield lost big Tuesday night
Missourians serving as RNC delegates projected to spend $2,000 - $3,000
Blunt, Kander poised for expensive dash in Missouri’s Senate race
Missouri political scientist calls Sander’s endorsement of Clinton before convention ‘strategic
What’s going to win big MO Tuesday? Here’s your primary forecast
Missouri GOP convention to select candidates, could consider closed primary.
Most voters have decided who they will pick in November, which complicates fall strategies
Missouri lawmakers say the 2016 elections will likely play a role in the 2016 legislative session
What to watch in tonight’s primary results
Missouri Senate filibuster bill ends in passage of anti-gay, pro-religion bill
Missouri 2016 elections likely to affect state legislature
From ziplines to street cars, Kansas City is on a roll for 2016.
From ziplines to street cars, Kansas City is on a roll for 2016
Protests may move from college campuses to ballot boxes
GOP governor candidates hope to avoid repeating 1992 Missouri debacle.
Obama Acts Unilaterally on Immigration, Draws Criticism; Could affect ’16 Election.
Love from Lobbyists: Area Lawmakers in Midrange for State on Value of Freebies Accepted
Other:
Dr. Robynn Kuhlmann, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Central Missouri, joins the podcast to talk about a possible state constitutional convention. Currently, 44 states in the union have provisions for holding constitutional conventions, though it rarely happens. In Missouri, the voters this November will decide whether or not to hold a convention. What could it mean for the people of Missouri? Is it an opportunity to implement policies that will help the state? Or could it turn extremely negative and hurt the state? Dr. Kuhlmann helps break down the issue and provides deep insight into the possible political and social consequences.
In this episode of the Ballpark, we head to Missouri to investigate the state’s political landscape and why its Senate race was so heated in this midterm cycle. We also talk to experts about 2018 as the Year of the Woman, explore some fascinating research on political ideology, and talk about what we can expect from this record-setting number of women in Congress.