Kinesins are microtubule motor proteins responsible for a diverse set of functions within cells. One particular subfamily of kinesins, kinesin-14A, is implicated in organization of the microtubule spindle and chromosome segregation during cell division. In this dissertation, we characterized two members of the kinesin-14A subfamily in the crop plant Zea mays (maize).Using a candidate gene based approach, we identified the underlying gene of the divergent spindle1 (dv1) locus to be a member of the kinesin-14A subfamily and provided additional evidence through identification of a second, new allele within the same gene. Loss of function of dv1 results in wider, longer spindles in male meiocytes in maize. Live cell imaging indicates dv1 functions late in metaphase to focus the spindle pole, but also suggests a role in prometaphase as well.Previous work identified kinesin driver (Kindr), a novel kinesin-14 unique to maize which is implicated in the abnormal chromosome 10 (Ab10) meiotic drive system. Plants carrying an RNAi-induced knockdown of Kindr expression lost the drive phenotype, indicating this gene is necessary for meiotic drive. Transcriptome sequencingof several but not all mutant Ab10 lines deficient for the drive phenotype show reduced expression of Kindr, indicating this gene is not sufficient for meiotic drive. Both immunolocalization and a fluorescent protein tag were used to image KINDR localization within cells.Further study of the Ab10 system was focused on identifying the deleterious effects preventing it from reaching fixation in populations. No evidence was found to suggest Ab10 transmission is inhibited through pollen. Ab10 homozygotes have reduced pollen viability, seed count, and seed weight than wild type siblings, suggesting a homozygous disadvantage to carrying Ab10. Deleterious SNPs were identified in the inverted shared region between Ab10 and normal chromosome 10 which may be responsible for decreased fitness. Variations in rates of drive and Kindr expression were identified in a diversity panel of maize carrying Ab10. A phylogeny of Ab10 haplotypes indicates recombination between these chromosomes in nature.