The Secretary of State certified six statewide measures for the Nov. 5 ballot. See the ballot language and pros and cons below. For nonpartisan information on other ballot measures and candidates, go to VOTE411.org.

AMENDMENT 2 – Legalize Sports Gambling
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 and 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 onetime 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.

Pros: Proponents say that 38 other states have legalized sports betting. Legislators say that sports betting could draw increased revenue for the state and particularly for educational programs to which portions of the revenue would be appropriated.

Cons: Opponents say Amendment 2 would increase compulsive gambling with its negative consequences, and that the low tax rate will not generate enough revenue to justify the human costs. They also say the proposition lacks the mechanisms necessary for state agencies to collect and deposit revenue generated.

AMENDMENT 3 – Reproductive Freedom
Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:

• Establish a right to make decisionsabout 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.

Pros: Proponents say decisions around pregnancy, abortion, contraceptives, and miscarriages are private and should be made by individuals, not the government. They also say Amendment 3 will preserve the health of individuals seeking necessary reproductive health care.

Cons: Opponents support the current strict ban on abortion.

AMENDMENT 5 – Lake of the Ozarks Casino
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.

Pros: Proponents say that the additional gambling boat would generate funds for early-childhood literacy programs in public education.  They also say that the casino would generate jobs and aid the local economy.

Cons: Opponents say that the Osage Nation was also interested in operating a casino in the area and that it would allow the tribe to strengthen its cultural ties to the area.  An application is pending before the Department of the Interior.  Passage of the amendment could negatively affect the tribe’s ability to pursue this project.  They also say the revenues generated not necessarily increase educational funding significantly.

AMENDMENT 6 – Proposed by the General Assembly – Court Fees
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.

Pros: Proponents say the revenue generated from court fees would fund robust pensions for sheriffs and law enforcement personnel.

Cons: Opponents say  it would create a set of incentives that tie pensions to the volume of arrests and prosecutions. In 2020, the Missouri Supreme Court said a $3 fee that was charged on every court case in Missouri to fund the sheriffs’ retirement system was an unconstitutional “sale of justice.”

AMENDMENT 7 – Block Ranked Choice Voting and Other Alternative Election Systems
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.

NOTE: Current law already limits voting to citizens over the age of 18. This measure would not block approval voting in St. Louis City.

Pros: Proponents say only U.S. citizens should vote in any election and that alternative election systems would harm fair voting in Missouri and be too complicated.

Cons: Opponents say that current law prohibits non-citizens from voting and that this is “ballot candy.” They say local governments should decide which election system is best and this initiative takes away local election control.

PROP A – Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages
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.

Pros: Proponents say workers need higher wages and paid sick days to support themselves and their families. In addition, they say the gradual increase over three years is feasible for employers. They also say hard work should be rewarded and not punished if workers need time off for illness or to take care of their families.

Cons: Opponents say businesses will have difficulty meeting these increases and will pass on increased costs to consumers. Workers will end up paying the price.

BACKGROUND:
From 1910-2022, the General Assembly put 246 measures on the ballot and 133 passed. The Citizen Initiative Petition process has put 70 on the ballot and 29 passed.