Missouri constitution

Several states, including Missouri, have ballot measures this year that could raise the thresholds needed to pass state constitutional amendments. Many advocates are critical of such limits on direct democracy.

The Aug. 4 proposal would require citizen-led amendments to win in every congressional district, turning the ballot fight into a debate over who speaks for voters outside Missouri's big cities.

On the August 4 ballot, Amendment 1 reauthorizes a sales tax of 0.1% that provides money for soil and water conservation projects and Missouri's state parks system.

The congressional race for Missouri's 6th District is set after the district was redrawn by the Republican legislature. Here are the candidates voters will see on their ballot August 4.

In the Aug. 4 primary election, Missouri voters can weigh in on Amendments 1, 2, 4 and 5. The proposals cover parks funding, election of tax assessors, how things get on a statewide ballot and the elimination of the state income tax.

Ads over amendments 4 and 5 are beginning to flood the state, but some major donors behind the campaigns may never be known.

A parent-led coalition turning Missouri's upcoming income-tax repeal measure into a public education fight, warning that state aid is already falling short.

A new report from Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick says Missouri is facing a budget cliff. Gov. Mike Kehoe says he thinks the state’s budget needs to shrink as a result, and suggests some nonprofits or local municipalities could fund some programs instead.

Missouri voters passed a constitutional amendment in 2024 mandating that state-controlled police departments be given 25% of their city's general revenue. Although Kansas City was the only such department at the time, St. Louis Police was taken over by the state last year.

Judges increasingly have found that official summaries from Missouri election officials fail to tell voters what ballot measures would actually do — forcing rewrites on amendments about abortion, redistricting and more. Republicans say courts are overstepping.

Amendment 5, which is aimed at eliminating the income tax, will stay on the August 4 ballot. But the court ruled that the summary must ensure voters know they are giving lawmakers authority to impose new sales taxes without current constitutional restrictions.

Voters in Missouri will decide whether the state can expand sales and uses taxes, in order to eliminate the income tax. Local government officials worry about how it will impact businesses, consumers, revenue for services like parks and transit, and budget planning.