Missouri ballot questions: What to know before you vote in the general election

Missouri is one of a dozen states that does not allow some form of sports betting. The initiative sidesteps the Missouri Senate, where bills to allow sports betting have repeatedly stalled. The St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Current and St. Louis CITY SC soccer teams support the initiative. Some opponents call the measure deceptive and point out that revenue for schools could be "$0 to $29 million annually." Other opponents say the measure is too restrictive.

Official ballot language: 

Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:

• Allow the Missouri Gaming Commission to regulate licensed sports wagering including online sports betting, gambling boats, professional sports betting districts and mobile licenses to sports betting operators;
• Restrict sports betting to individuals physically located in the state and over the age of 21;
• Allow license fees prescribed by the Commission and a 10% wagering tax on revenues received to be appropriated for education after expenses incurred by the Commission and required funding of the Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund; and
• Allow for the general assembly to enact laws consistent with this amendment?

State governmental entities estimate one-time costs of $660,000, ongoing annual costs of at least $5.2 million, and initial license fee revenue of $11.75 million. Because the proposal allows for deductions against sports gaming revenues, they estimate unknown tax revenue ranging from $0 to $28.9 million annually. Local governments estimate unknown revenue.

A "yes" vote on Amendment 2 will amend the Missouri Constitution to permit licensed sports betting regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission and restrict sports betting to individuals physically located in the state and over the age of 21. The amendment includes a 10% wagering tax on revenues received to be appropriated for educational institutions in Missouri. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

A "no" vote on Amendment 2 opposes legalizing and regulating sports betting in Missouri.

RELATED: Missouri’s Amendment 2 doesn’t guarantee millions of dollars for schools each year from sports betting

This amendment had a rocky path to get on the ballot, coming down to a 4-3 vote in the Missouri Supreme Court. The measure needs to be approved by a simple majority. It would legalize abortion access in Missouri until the point of "fetal viability". Abortions were banned in Missouri when the landmark Roe v. Wade case was overturned in 2022. Supporters include the Democratic Party, the League of Women Voters of Missouri and some religious groups. Opponents include many conservative candidates and officeholders, the Missouri Catholic Conference and groups like the Thomas More Society.

Official ballot language:

Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:

• Establish a right to make decisions about reproductive health care, including abortion and contraceptives, with any governmental interference of that right presumed invalid;
• Remove Missouri’s ban on abortion;
• Allow regulation of reproductive health care to improve or maintain the health of the patient;
• Require the government not to discriminate, in government programs, funding, and other activities, against persons providing or obtaining reproductive health care; and
• Allow abortion to be restricted or banned after Fetal Viability except to protect the life or health of the woman?

State governmental entities estimate no costs or savings, but unknown impact. Local governmental entities estimate costs of at least $51,000 annually in reduced tax revenues. Opponents estimate a potentially significant loss to state revenue.

According to an April 2023 letter from Attorney General Andrew Bailey, State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick requested input from 12 counties and 14 cities on the fiscal impact of legalizing abortion. Greene County, one of only three counties and two cities to respond to the request, estimated $51,000 in reduced tax revenues annually based on reduced population and state tax base. The estimates were based on fertility rates and the 2,000 abortions recorded by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services between 2020 and 2021.

A "yes" vote on Amendment 3 establishes a constitutional right to make decisions about reproductive health care, including abortion and contraceptives, with any governmental interference of that right presumed invalid; removes Missouri's ban on abortion; allows regulation of reproductive health care to improve or maintain the health of the patient; requires the government not to discriminate, in government programs, funding, and other activities, against those providing or obtaining reproductive health care; and allows abortion to be restricted or banned after "fetal viability" except to protect the life or health of the woman. 

A "no" vote on Amendment 3 would leave Missouri's abortion ban in place.

RELATED: Political analyst explains that Missouri Amendment 3 does not include transgender care for kids

At issue is a casino near the town of Lake Ozark. The Osage River Gaming and Convention Committee is partnering with Bally's Entertainment on the proposal. Missourinet reports that the Osage Nation, a tribe based in Oklahoma, opposes the amendment because it also seeks to build a casino in the area. This is a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment. 

Official ballot language:

Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:

• Allow the Missouri Gaming Commission to issue one additional gambling boat license to operate on the portion of the Osage River from the Missouri River to the Bagnell Dam;
• Require the prescribed location shall include artificial spaces that contain water and are within 500 feet of the 100-year base flood elevation as established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
• Require all state revenues derived from the issuance of the gambling boat license shall be appropriated to early-childhood literacy programs in public institutions of elementary education?

State governmental entities estimate one-time costs of $763,000, ongoing costs of $2.2 million annually, initial fee revenue of $271,000, ongoing admission and other fee revenue of $2.1 million annually, and annual gaming tax revenue of $14.3 million. Local governments estimate unknown revenue.

A "yes" vote on Amendment 5 will amend the Missouri Constitution to allow the Missouri Gaming Commission to issue an additional gambling boat license to operate an excursion gambling boat on the Osage River, between the Missouri River and the Bagnell Dam. All state revenue derived from the issuance of the gambling boat license shall be appropriated to early childhood literacy programs in public institutions of elementary education. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

A "no" vote on Amendment 5 will not amend the Missouri Constitution to issue an additional gambling boat license.

Sponsored by Missouri State Sen. Rusty Black (R-Chillicothe), this amendment would support a pension for sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys and circuit attorneys by reinstating a $3 court fee. Opponents say this ties the pension plan to the volume of arrests and prosecutions. This is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.

Official ballot language:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to provide that the administration of justice shall include the levying of costs and fees to support salaries and benefits for certain current and former law enforcement personnel?

State and local governmental entities estimate an unknown fiscal impact.

A "yes" vote on Amendment 6 will amend the Missouri Constitution to levy costs and fees to support salaries and benefits for current and former sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys and circuit attorneys to ensure all Missourians have access to the courts of justice. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

A "no" vote on Amendment 6 will not amend the Missouri Constitution to levy costs and fees related to current or former sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys and circuit attorneys.

Ranked choice voting asks voters to rank candidates in the order of preference. This ban would not apply to any nonpartisan municipal election that is already in place, such as in St. Louis. Supporters have focused on the change in language that they say prevents non-citizens from voting. Opponents say it makes voting more difficult and removes local control. This is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.

Official ballot language:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

• Make the Constitution consistent with state law by only allowing citizens of the United States to vote;
• Prohibit the ranking of candidates by limiting voters to a single vote per candidate or issue; and
• Require the plurality winner of a political party primary to be the single candidate at a general election?

State and local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.

A "yes" vote on Amendment 7 will amend the Missouri Constitution to specify that only U.S. citizens are entitled to vote, voters shall only have a single vote for each candidate or issue, restrict any type of ranking of candidates for a particular office and require the person receiving the greatest number of votes at the primary election be the only candidate for that party at the general election and require the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes for each office at the general election be declared the winner. This provision does not apply to any nonpartisan municipal election held in a city that had an ordinance in effect as of Nov. 5, 2024, such as St. Louis, that requires a preliminary election at which more than one candidate advances. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

A "no" vote on Amendment 7 will not amend the Missouri Constitution to make any changes to how voters vote in primary and general elections.

Missouri minimum wage is $12.30 per hour and $6.15 for tipped employees. The average minimum wage in the U.S. is $10.69. Supporters say the increase will help families and low earners. Opponents say the increase will drive up prices. This is a citizen-initiated state statute.

Official ballot language:

Do you want to amend Missouri law to:

• Increase minimum wage January 1, 2025 to $13.75 per hour, increasing $1.25 per hour each year until 2026, when the minimum wage would be $15.00 per hour;
• Adjust minimum wage based on changes in the Consumer Price Index each January beginning in 2027;
• Require all employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every thirty hours worked;
• Allow the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to provide oversight and enforcement; and
• Exempt governmental entities, political subdivisions, school districts and education institutions?

State governmental entities estimate one-time costs ranging from $0 to $53,000, and ongoing costs ranging from $0 to at least $256,000 per year by 2027. State and local government tax revenue could change by an unknown annual amount depending on business decisions.

A "yes" vote on Proposition A will amend Missouri statutes to increase the state minimum wage beginning Jan. 1, 2025, to $13.75 per hour and increase the hourly rate $1.25, to $15 per hour beginning January 2026. Annually the minimum wage will be adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index. The law will require employers with 15 or more employees to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every thirty hours worked. The amendment will exempt governmental entities, political subdivisions, school districts and education institutions from the minimum wage increase. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

A "no" vote on Proposition A will not amend Missouri law to make changes to the state minimum wage law.