Four of six constitutional amendments and propositions on the ballot were approved. Here’s how the vote went and briefly what each of the six mean to you.
APPROVED: Proposition A – Minimum Wage & Paid Sick Leave
In a state where nearly a third of workers could see their paychecks grow, Prop A addresses two fundamental workplace issues: wages and sick time. The measure will boost the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2026 and guarantee paid sick leave for private sector workers. While labor advocates said the proposition was about basic dignity and living wages, business groups warned of potential job cuts and reduced hours.
Key Points:
-Increases minimum wage to $13.75/hour in 2025, then $15/hour in 2026
-Mandates 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked
-Does not apply to government entities, schools, or political subdivisions
-Annual wage adjustments based on Consumer Price Index starting 2027
APPROVED: Amendment 2 – Sports Betting
Missouri joins the growing list of states embracing legal sports gambling. This measure should bring betting out of the shadows and into regulated spaces, including online platforms. While proponents eye the potential windfall for education, others worry about the social costs of expanded gambling access.
Key Points:
– Legalized sports betting for ages 21+ in Missouri
– 10% tax on gambling revenue is estimated to generate $28.0 Million annually for education.
– Regulated by Missouri Gaming Commission
APPROVED: Amendment 3– Abortion Rights
This amendment represents the first major challenge to the state’s near-total abortion ban since Roe v. Wade was overturned. The measure would fundamentally alter the landscape of reproductive healthcare in the state.
Key Points:
– Establishes constitutional right to abortion until fetal viability — generally seen as the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb on its own, or around 24 weeks, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
– The amendment goes into effect in 30 days,
– The amendment also protects access to other reproductive health care, like birth control.
– Protects reproductive healthcare decisions from government interference
FAILED: Amendment 5 – Lake of the Ozarks Casino
What was once a weekend getaway spot was proposed to become Missouri’s newest gambling destination. The initiative, which was being pushed by Bally Entertainment failed with 52% of Missouri voters opposing it.
Key Points:
– Would have authorized a casino on Osage River at Lake of the Ozarks
– Would have Included hotel, convention center and restaurants
– Generate $14.3M annual gaming tax revenue dedicated to early childhood literacy
FAILED: Amendment – : Court Fees
Amendment 6, would have allowed “costs and fees” to be added to judicial administration to fund the “salaries and benefits” of various law enforcement and law administration officials.
A similar charge was deemed unconstitutional in 2021 by the Missouri Supreme Court. A passed Amendment 6 would have allowed the legislature to reinstate those fees. The NAACP opposed the amendment saying it would encourage writing more tickets to help fund the pensions system
Both opponents and supporters of the amendment have agreed the system needs funding but disagreed on the resolution
APPROVED: Amendment 7 – Voting Restrictions
This was a purposely misleading amendment that limits voting rights for Missouri citizens as well as non-citizens. The “ballot candy” on this amendment, which was pushed as a way to get this amendment passed, was a measure that doesn’t accomplish much – if anything.
The “candy,” or part one of the amendment, was promoted as a way to keep non-citizens from voting in Missouri. However, Missouri law already made non-citizen voting illegal. This measure just makes existing law part of the state constitution.
The second part of the measure makes it illegal for legislative bodies to implement a ranked-voting process. Ranked-choice voting is growing in popularity across the country, but individuals and groups that oppose it typically dislike it because it leads to less partisan and more moderate representation.
For more on ranked-choice voting, read our story “Understanding Ranked-Choice Voting at https://bit.ly/48jpBvA
Approval of this amendment means non citizens can’t vote, but Missouri voters can never explore implementing ranked choice voting. From conversations with a number of individuals, almost all of them did not understand they were voting to limit their rights.
