Voters turned out in force to make their voices known on four statewide amendments during the primary election Aug. 4, 2026.
More than half the state's precincts were reporting in as of 10:15 p.m. Though many remained unreported, newsrooms including the Associated Press and New York Times called all amendment races based on early results in key precincts. Here's a look at what voters approved and what they rejected.
Voters want to keep initiative petition process the same
Voters decided to keep the initiative petition process the same with 79% voting "no" to Amendment 4 as of 10:15 p.m. At that time, 1,906 of the state's 3,235 precincts had reported in to the Secretary of State, according to the election results website.
The Associated Press called this race for "no" at 8:08 p.m. Aug. 4, when 12% of
the votes were counted.
Amendment 4 asked whether voters wanted to change the way initiative petitions work to amend the Missouri Constitution. If approved, it would have required an initiative petition to be approved by the majority of voters in each congressional district in the state in order for it to pass — effectively allowing a small percentage of voters in a single district to defeat a measure with strong support in the rest of the state.
“The people have spoken. The people spoke loudly, clearly and overwhelmingly. Amendments 4 and 5 have been soundly defeated – and buried so deep in citizen rejection that they should never come back," said Scott Charton, spokesman for Missouri Realtors campaign committees Missourians for Fair Governance (NO on 4) and Missourians for Fair Taxation (NO on 5). "Citizen-led, voter-approved constitutional taxpayer protections have been strongly defended and reaffirmed by the people of Missouri. And our fellow Missourians sent a powerful message to Jefferson City: The people are in charge, the majority rules, and every citizen’s vote counts equally."
Protect Majority Rule MO, another group that advocated for a "no" vote, noted that while the vote is a success, it is not likely to be the last time limits are tested.
"Tonight, voters rejected politicians' attempt to create a rigged system designed to silence Missourians while holding all the power to initiate and pass change only for politicians; A system that would deny Missourians a chance to end an abortion ban and protect reproductive freedom, expand medical coverage to low-income families, or place limits on power in Jefferson City,” said Luz María Henríquez, executive director at the ACLU of Missouri, a member of Protect Majority Rule MO. “Missourians must continue to remind politicians that power lies with the people and reject all attempts to curb it."
Voters decide to keep state's income tax
Voters said they don't want to phase out the state's income tax, with about 83% voting "no" as of 10:15 p.m., with 1906 of Missouri's precincts reporting.
Amendment 5, if approved, would have given the Missouri General Assembly five years to come up with a plan — using either increased sales and use taxes or expansion of those taxes to currently untaxed goods and services — to replace the revenue the income tax currently provides to the state budget.
"While we are disappointed by today's result, our commitment to lowering taxes for Missouri families and strengthening our state's economy remains unchanged. Governor Kehoe deserves credit for thinking big, and we will continue to work alongside him to reduce the tax burden on hardworking Missourians and advance policies that help our state grow and prosper," said Joe Lamie, spokesman for Missouri Promise PAC, which supported Amendment 5.
Missouri Budget Project, which was against Amendment 5, said the measure would have increased overall taxes for 80% of Missourians.
“Eliminating the income tax rigs the system for the wealthy, while hurting working people, families, and communities,” said Amy Blouin, president and CEO of Missouri Budget Project, in a news release. “We’ll continue to work with educators, parents, seniors, and concerned Missourians across the state to build an economy that works for us all.”
Voters keep funding conservation, state parks with sales and use tax
Voters approved Amendment 1 with 81% of the vote, according to the Secretary of State's website around 10:15 p.m. At that time, 1,906 of Missouri's precincts had reported results. The New York Times called the race about 9:18 p.m.
Amendment 1 asked voters whether the state should renew its 1/10-cent sales and use tax used for soil and water conservation, state parks and historic sites for another 10 years. The tax dates back to the 1980s and generates approximately $140 million annually.
Voters choose to elect Jackson County assessor
Voters decided to require Jackson County to elect its county assessor with 76% voting "yes" as of 10:15 p.m., with 1,906 of Missouri's precincts reporting in. The Associated Press called the race prior to full results.
Currently, the Jackson County assessor is an appointed office, due to a carveout for the county in the state's constitution that requires all other charter counties to elect their assessor. This past November, Jackson County voters said they wanted the office to be elected, according to reporting by KCUR.
This article contains reporting by News-Leader reporter Marta Mieze.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri voters say no changes to initiative petitions, income tax
