Missouri government

Since the end of the 2022 election cycle, there’s been increased talk from proponents and opponents of abortion rights about putting a constitutional amendment about the issue on the 2024 ballot. But a proposal from Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft would raise the bar for passing those amendments to 60%.

Andrew Bailey, who has served as general counsel for Gov. Mike Parson for the last year, will replace Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who was elected to the U.S. Senate earlier this month. But his appointment has not been greeted by universal support among Republicans.

While Republicans will still hold a supermajority in the chamber, House Democrats were able to gain three seats, giving them their largest numbers in years.

Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem denied the city’s claims that the 2021 state law bolstering protections for police under investigation for misconduct was unconstitutional.

State Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin will be responsible for deciding which bills get Senate floor time — and bridging divisions within her caucus.

The auditor’s office, tasked with the impartial review of public spending, is currently the only statewide office held by a Democrat. Current Auditor Nicole Galloway decided not to seek another term.

The constitutional amendment means that Kansas City will have to spend at least 25% of its budget on the police department, up from its current 20%. The KCPD is governed by the state of Missouri through a Board of Police Commissioners, unlike any other major U.S. city or police department in Missouri.

The newly-rearranged Kansas 3rd congressional district is seeing incumbent Democrat Sharice Davids face off against Republican Amanda Adkins, with abortion and inflation stealing the spotlight. Plus: Missourians will decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana this election, but Amendment 3 isn't that straight forward.

Amendment 3 on the Missouri statewide ballot would legalize the adult use of marijuana for those 21 and older. But people could still get fined for smoking in public, and the process of expunging past offenses is complicated.

Republicans are in no danger of losing their legislative majorities in Missouri. Yet despite tough political headwinds, Democrats hope a new map that created more competitive districts will help them pick up seats.

Sarah Shorter is the Democratic candidate for Missouri's 34th state senate district. But working two jobs and running against an incumbent in a Republican district makes it difficult to get a message out.

At 224 pages and just over 69,000 words, the current Missouri constitution is the fourth in the state's history. November's ballot will ask if voters want a new one.