Missouri voters will see four proposed constitutional amendments on the Aug. 4 primary ballot that could reshape the state’s tax structure, the ballot initiative process and local government offices. The measures range from a routine extension of park funding to a potentially transformational rewrite of how Missouri funds government operations.
What’s on the ballot
The four proposals ask voters to weigh:
- Amendment 1: Renew a 0.1% sales tax that supports state parks and soil and water conservation for another 10 years.
- Amendment 2: Require charter counties to elect, rather than appoint, their county assessor.
- Amendment 4: Change the rules for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments by requiring both a statewide majority and a majority in each of Missouri’s eight congressional districts.
- Amendment 5: Replace Missouri’s individual income tax with expanded sales and use taxes — a priority pushed by Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe.
News organizations covering the measures note the range of consequences each would have, from modest administrative changes to a dramatic overhaul of revenue collection.
Amendment details and stakes
Amendment 1 would continue the existing 0.1% sales tax that yields roughly $140 million annually. That revenue is split evenly between the park system and soil and water conservation programs. Voters must decide whether to extend the tax for another decade; supporters say the funds help maintain park facilities and conservation work, while opponents sometimes object to continuing earmarked sales taxes instead of letting the Legislature set priorities.
Amendment 2 would require charter counties — including several of Missouri’s largest counties — to elect their county assessor rather than appointing one. The measure changes how property valuation officials are selected, shifting the choice to the ballot box.
Amendment 4 would alter the mechanics of Missouri’s direct democracy. Under current rules, citizen-led constitutional amendments approved by a statewide majority become part of the state constitution. Amendment 4 would add a second hurdle: a separate majority in each of the state’s eight congressional districts. Political analysts have warned such a requirement could make future citizen amendments much harder to pass.
Amendment 5 is the most far-reaching. It proposes to eliminate the state’s individual income tax and substitute expanded sales and use taxes. The income tax currently generates about $9 billion a year, an amount that represents roughly two-thirds of Missouri’s general revenue. Backers, including Gov. Mike Kehoe, argue the change would lower income tax burdens and broaden the sales tax base; opponents warn that replacing income tax with greater reliance on sales taxes could reduce progressivity, shift tax burdens, and leave the state with less stable revenue during economic downturns.
| Amendment | Short description | Key figures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Extend 0.1% sales tax for parks and conservation | $140M/year; split evenly |
| 2 | Require election of county assessors in charter counties | Changes selection method |
| 4 | Require statewide and congressional-district majorities for citizen amendments | Must win all 8 districts |
| 5 | Replace individual income tax with expanded sales/use taxes | $9B/year from income tax; ~2/3 of general revenue |
Why voters should pay attention
Each amendment carries implications for how Missourians pay for government services and how accessible the ballot initiative process remains. Taken together, the measures put fiscal structure and democratic procedure before voters in a single primary election.
Some practical points for voters ahead of Aug. 4:
- Review your sample ballot and confirm polling locations or absentee deadlines with your local election authority.
- Read the full text or nonpartisan summaries of each amendment to understand specific language and consequences.
- Consider who supports and opposes each measure and why — advocates and critics often base positions on differing views of tax fairness, government accountability and homeowner impacts.
Coverage of these measures draws on reporting and analysis prepared for regional newsrooms. Voters who want deeper context should consult the long-form guides and impartial explainers published by local newspapers and the state’s election office.
With four potentially consequential constitutional changes on a single ballot, Aug. 4 gives Missouri voters the chance to shape state policy and the mechanics of citizen-driven lawmaking for years to come.
