August Ballot Measures

Come join us in person to get the lowdown on the August Ballot Measures. This is your chance to dive into what’s on the ballot, ask questions, and chat with others who care about making informed choices. Whether you’re a first-time voter or a seasoned pro, this event’s gonna help you be ready and confident on voting day!

Amendment 1

Renews soil and water conservation tax for parks and historic sites

The ballot question reads, “Shall Missouri continue for 10 years the one-tenth of one percent sales/use tax that is used for soil and water conservation and for state parks and historic sites, and resubmit this tax to the voters for approval in 10 years?

The measure allows continued collection of the existing sales and use tax, which generates revenue of approximately $140 million annually.”

The tax is essential maintaining key soil and water conservation efforts at state parks and historic sites, both in eligible rural and urban parts of the state. It is not a new tax or tax increase, but rather an effort to renew a long-established 0.001% tax that has benefitted conservation.

A majority “yes” vote would continue this tax while a “no” vote would end it.

Amendment 2

Requires a direct election of county assessors in charter counties

The ballot question reads, “Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

• require all charter counties, including Jackson County, to provide for the election of a county assessor; and

• require assessors in all charter counties to comply with any training requirements established by general law?

State and local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.”

Charter counties, such as Jackson County in the Kansas City area, are structured with greater flexibility under Missouri law, allowing certain county officials to take office through appointment rather than election. A county assessor, a technical job responsible for determining fair market property values for tax purposes, is currently a constitutional exception in Jackson County and does not require an election.

The amendment would require all charter counties in Missouri to elect for county assessor roles moving forward and comply with state training standards. The proposed change would increase voter oversight into how county assessors may qualify and assume office.

A “yes” vote would amend the Missouri Constitution to require all charter counties, including Jackson County, to elect a county assessor and ensure he or she meets training requirements established by state law. A “no” vote would keep the current system in place.

Amendment 4

Changes rules on the state’s citizen-led initiative petition voting process

The ballot question reads, “Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

• Modify current requirements that a statewide majority of voters may approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution;

• Require a majority of voters in each congressional district to approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution; and

• Make available to each voter the full text of initiative petitions with their ballot?

Missouri’s initiative petition (IP) process allows citizens to gather signatures to place proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot for a statewide vote, occasionally on matters that otherwise would not advance in the state legislature. In recent years, critics of the IP approval process claim that it favors the large population areas of the state. This amendment intends to ensure that rural and urban voters are more equally represented to pass initiative petitions.

Under Amendment 4, an initiative petition reaching state ballots would require a majority vote in each of Missouri’s eight U.S. Congressional districts to take effect, rather than only a simple statewide majority of votes.

A “yes” vote would amend the Missouri Constitution to require majority approval in each congressional district for initiative petition measures, modify the current statewide majority standard, and also require the full text of initiative petitions to be made available on ballots. A “no” vote would leave the current voter approval process unchanged.

Amendment 5

Phasing out Missouri’s statewide income tax

The ballot question reads, “Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

• Phase-out the individual income tax based on revenue growth;

• Reduce personal property and other local taxes when local revenues increase;

• Modify the sales and use tax to eliminate income tax and reduce local taxes; and

• Protect local funding for public schools and other purposes?

The proposal has no direct impact on state or local tax revenue. If passed, implementing legislation will have an unknown impact to state and local tax revenue. If implemented, state government entities expect a reduction of $57,000 annually in income tax check-off donations and implementation costs of at least $100,000.“

Missouri’s annual income tax reaches up to 4.7% for individual taxpayers depending on their income level. Income tax funds state services, including transportation, education, social services and healthcare programs.

Amendment 5 does two things. First, it would direct the state to eliminate the individual income tax through gradual reductions tied to revenue growth. As revenue increases due to economic growth, the income tax rate must be reduced. Second, the proposal allows the state to “modify” the state’s sales and use tax system in the transition away from income tax revenue, while calling to maintain “local funding for public schools and other purposes” that rely on tax dollars. As sales tax revenue increases, the income tax rate will be reduced so there is no overall tax increase. A House Joint Resolution that advanced the proposal has outlined a five-year phase-out timeline.

Critics warn that increases is sales tax may adversely affect lower income citizens. Proponents assert that elimination of income tax should attract businesses to relocate to the state resulting in increased prosperity for everyone.

A “yes” vote would authorize a gradual elimination of the individual income tax and enable other changes related to the state’s tax structure through legislation. A “no” vote would reject the proposed changes and keep Missouri’s income tax system in place.