Voters to go to poles in General Election next Tuesday – No county races to be decided

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Marion County voters will not have any local races decide Nov. 8, but do have three state and district contests to determine along with the four state constitutional amendments and the constitutional convention question.

The General Election ballot, a copy of which can be found inside this issue, includes races for U.S. senator and representative, state auditor and state senator.

Running for state senator are Republican, Eric Schmitt, Democrat, Trudy Busch Valentine, Libertarian, Jonathan Dine and Constitution, Paul Venable.

The race for U.S. Representative for District 6 includes Republican, Sam Graves, Democrat, Henry Martin, and Libertarian, Edward A. (Andy) Maidment.

Seeking the office of state auditor are Republican Scott Fitzpatrick, Democrat, Alan Green, and Libertian, John A. Hartwig, Jr.

Running for state senator from District 18 are Republican, Cindy O’Laughlin and Democrat, Ayanna Shivers.

Running unopposed are:

Republican, Louis Riggs, state representative for District 6; 

Republican, John J. Jackson, associate circuit judge;

Republican, David Lomax, Marion County presiding commissioner;

Republican, Marla Meyers, Marion County clerk;

Republican, Cheryl L. Damron, circuit clerk, District I;

Democrat, Christine K. Tate, circuit clerk, District II;

Democrat, Harla Friesz, Marion County recorder of deeds;

Republican, Joelle M. Fohey, Marion County treasurer;

Republican Luke Bryant, Marion County prosecuting attorney; and

Republican Donna Rice-Goodin, Marion County collector of revenue.

Votes also have the opportunity to vote on the re-election of two Missouri Supreme Court Judges, Zel M. Fischer and Robin Ransom, and four Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District Judges, Kelly C. Broniec, Thomas C. Clark, Michael E. Gardner and John P. Torbitzky.

Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.     

Constitutional amendments to be voted on

Missouri voters Nov. 8 will decide the fate of four ballot issues including three proposed amendment’s to the state constitution.

The issues, all to be decided by a simple majority, concern legalizing marijuana, streamline the ability of the state treasurer to make investments, increase minimum funding for police departments and establish a new Department of the National Guard.

The following is “fair ballot” language of the ballot issues released by Missouri Secretary of State John Ashcroft.

Amendment 1

Official Ballot Title:

Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:

allow the General Assembly to override the current constitutional restrictions of state investments by the state treasurer; and

allow state investments in municipal securities possessing one of the top five highest long term ratings or the highest short term rating?

State governmental entities estimate no costs and increased interest revenue of $2 million per year. Local governmental entities estimate no costs and increased interest revenue of at least $34,000 per year.

Fair Ballot Language: 

A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to grant the General Assembly statutory authority to invest state funds and also expand the state treasurer’s investment options.  

Currently the Constitution grants the General Assembly no statutory investment authority and limits the treasurer’s investment options.  This amendment will allow the General Assembly by statute to determine investment avenues for the state treasurer to invest state funds, as well as allow the state treasurer to invest in municipal securities.

A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution and limit the treasurer to investing state funds only in those investment options currently approved by the Constitution.

If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

Amendment 3

Proposed by Initiative Petition

Official Ballot Title:

Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:

remove state prohibitions on purchasing, possessing, consuming, using, delivering, manufacturing, and selling marijuana for personal use for adults over the age of twenty-one;

require a registration card for personal cultivation with prescribed limits;

allow persons with certain marijuana-related non-violent offenses to petition for release from incarceration or parole and probation and have records expunged;

establish a lottery selection process to award licenses and certificates;

issue equally distributed licenses to each congressional district; and

impose a six percent tax on the retail price of marijuana to benefit various programs?

State governmental entities estimate initial costs of $3.1 million, initial revenues of at least $7.9 million, annual costs of $5.5 million, and annual revenues of at least $40.8 million. Local governments are estimated to have annual costs of at least $35,000 and annual revenues of at least $13.8 million.

Fair Ballot Language: 

A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to remove state prohibitions on the purchase, possession, consumption, use, delivery, manufacture, and sale of marijuana for personal use for adults over the age of twenty-one.

The amendment would also allow individuals with certain marijuana-related offenses to petition for release from prison or parole and probation and have their records expunged; along with imposing a six percent tax on the retail price of recreational marijuana.

A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution and the sale and use of marijuana for recreational purposes will remain prohibited under current law.  Medical marijuana would remain unchanged.

If passed, this measure will impose a 6 percent tax on the retail price of recreational marijuana.

Amendment 4

Official Ballot Title:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to authorize laws, passed before Dec. 31, 2026, that increase minimum funding for a police force established by a state board of police commissioners to ensure such police force has additional resources to serve its communities?

State and local governmental entities estimate no additional costs or savings related to this proposal.

Fair Ballot Language: 

A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to allow the general assembly by law to increase the minimum funding for a police force established by the state board of police commissioners to ensure such police force has additional resources to serve its communities. 

Currently the only police force established by the state board of police commissioners is found in Kansas City, Mo.

A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding the funding for a police force established by the state board of police commissioners.

If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

Amendment 5

Official Ballot Title:

Shall the Missouri National Guard currently under the Missouri Department of Public Safety be its own department, known as the Missouri Department of the National Guard, which shall be required to protect the constitutional rights and civil liberties of Missourians?

State governmental entities estimate no savings and ongoing costs of $132,000 annually. Local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.

Fair Ballot Language: 

A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to create the Missouri Department of the National Guard as a new state agency, headed by an adjutant general appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate. 

A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding the National Guard.

If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

Constitutional Convention Question

Official Ballot Title

Constitutional Convention Question

[Proposed by Article XII, Section 3(a), Missouri Constitution]

Official Ballot Title:

Shall there be a convention to revise and amend the Constitution?

Fair Ballot Language: 

A “yes” vote will require the governor to call an election of delegates to serve at a convention for the purpose of revising or amending the Missouri Constitution. Any revisions or amendments will then be put to a vote of the people for their consideration.

A “no” vote will mean no constitutional convention will be held.

If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.