Voters statewide will decide on several state Constitutional amendments at the November 5th general election. On Tuesday, August 13th, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced that three initiative petitions had received enough verified signatures to place them on the November ballot.
Voters will decide on proposals to preserve abortion rights for women; establishment of legalized sports wagering; and increasing the minimum wage in Missouri state law to $15 an hour beginning in 2026. Two other Constitutional amendments were placed on the ballot by the 2024 Missouri General Assembly.
Here are the five issues to be decided in November:
Abortion Rights: Supporters of the abortion rights proposal, Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, said the ballot measure, if approved, would legalize abortion up to the point of “fetal viability.” Currently, nearly every abortion is illegal in Missouri except for medical emergencies.
Sports Betting: Promoted by a coalition of Missouri professional sports franchises seeking to allow legalization of sports gambling, the proposal would add sports wagering to the Missouri Constitution, if approved by voters, and includes granting licenses to professional sports teams, casinos, and online websites.
Minimum Wage Increase: Missouri Jobs with Justice is the organization supporting the proposal to raise the minimum wage of workers and to require that many workers get paid sick leave.
Two other state Constitutional amendments will be voted on in November, Senate Joint Resolutions that were passed by the 2024 General Assembly:
Sheriffs’ Salaries: If approved by voters, the amendment provides for the levying of certain costs and fees to support the salaries and benefits of sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys, and circuit attorneys.
Ranked-Choice Voting: The amendment relates to elections, and if approved by voters, provides that only citizens of the U.S., 18 years old and older, who are residents of Missouri and of the political subdivision in which they vote are entitled to vote at all elections. Prohibited will be “ranked choice voting,” limiting voters to a single vote per candidate or issue. All elections shall be by paper ballot or by any mechanical method prescribed by law. The candidate who receives the greatest number of votes in a political party primary shall be the only candidate for that political party at the general election.
Not on the Ballot: An amendment to allow a casino to be built along the Osage River between the Bagnell Dam and the Missouri River failed to receive enough verified signatures to be placed on the November ballot, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
Click here for more information: 2024 Ballot Measures (mo.gov)