Missouri elections 2026

Following the Thursday ruling by a Jackson County judge, Planned Parenthood in Kansas City began providing medication abortions to patients on Monday for the first time since 2018. But affiliates are still fighting limitations as critics again seek to restrict access via a ballot issue in November.

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 in 28 counties have been assigned to a different congressional district under the Republican-drawn map intended to oust Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II. But a referendum effort and lawsuits could still change where voters end up in November.

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.

Some Republicans want to convert the St. Louis-based 1st Congressional District into a winnable seat, after successfully carving up Kansas City in order to oust Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II. But doing that could place the entire map at risk for a Democratic takeover.

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.

Opponents argue that the proposal to expand sales and use taxes, known as Amendment 5, violated constitutional prohibitions on addressing more than one subject. They plan to appeal the ruling.

The November measure would essentially reinstate Missouri's abortion ban by repealing the reproductive rights amendment voters approved in 2024. It would also add a constitutional ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

Voters will see two controversial questions on Missouri’s statewide ballot in August, when turnout is expected to be lower. Amendment 4 would make it much harder for citizens to change the constitution, while Amendment 5 seeks to expand sales taxes.

Kansas City wants your permission to borrow $1.7 billion, which would fund improvements to water infrastructure, affordable housing, and repairs at the convention center and City Hall.

An amendment banning abortion will go before Missouri voters in November, possibly alongside a referendum on the state's gerrymandered congressional map. But a proposal to expand sales taxes and eliminate the income tax will appear in the smaller-turnout August election.