Missouri constitution

Both of the cases are moving quickly because Missouri law sets a Sept. 8 deadline for court orders adding questions to the November ballot.

With an early September cutoff for changes to the Missouri ballot, the chief justice asked for "sufficient time for expedited appellate review" of the complex issues. Because if the referendum is approved, it would also throw the results of the Aug. 4 primary into question.

Despite the backing of Gov. Mike Kehoe, proposed constitutional amendments that would have made it more difficult for citizens to change the constitution and start the process of eliminating the state income tax were overwhelmingly rejected by Missouri voters.

The Respect Missouri Voters campaign submitted more than 330,000 signatures for an amendment that would limit lawmakers from repealing or changing laws approved through the initiative process. Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected the petition Tuesday while also replacing the ballot title he already certified.

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected a citizen referendum that would have given voters the chance to overturn the new Republican-drawn congressional map. Hoskins said the measure was unconstitutional, but the group People Not Politicians said he's being "obstructionist."

Amendment 1 is often cited as the funding mechanism through which Missouri can provide free admission into its state parks.

Because voters rejected Amendment 4, proposed state constitutional amendments brought by the public will still require a simple majority to pass once on the ballot.

The GOP Secretary of State's decision was expected. Proponents of placing the GOP-leaning map up for a statewide vote will go to court to put a vote on the plan on the November ballot.

Missouri polling places are open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day, Aug. 4. See results as they come in for U.S. House primary contests and constitutional amendment questions.

Amendment 4 would require any constitutional amendment put on the ballot through the initiative petition process to pass in all eight congressional districts, rather than by a simple majority. Missouri voters in recent years have passed amendments like abortion rights and marijuana legalization that were opposed by Republican lawmakers.

Gov. Mike Kehoe has been pushing to phase-out the state's income tax, and now voters will get to decide in Tuesday's election. But Amendment 5 leaves many unknowns: How will the legislature will expand sales and use taxes? Will the change actually spur more business?

If approved by Missouri voters on Aug. 4, 2026, Amendment 5 would require the Missouri General Assembly to phase out the income tax based on revenue growth. The amendment also authorizes lawmakers to expand sales and use taxes to replace the lost income tax revenue.