FROM SENATOR NICOLA
Helping Missourians Understand
the 2026 Elections & Ballot Measures
In 2026, Missouri voters will be asked to make decisions on statewide ballot measures during both the August 4th primary election and the November 3rd general election. This page is intended to be a simple resource to help voters understand what is on the ballot, what each measure would do and where to find official election information.
We encourage you to review the official information from the Missouri Secretary of State, which is linked here, share this page with your friends and neighbors, and reach out to our office, the Secretary of State or your local election authority with any questions you might have.
"Elections work best when voters understand what is on the ballot, what each measure would do and where to find official election information so they can make informed decisions."
— Senator Joe Nicola
IMPORTANT ELECTION DATES
Timeline to the 2026 Elections
Mark these key deadlines and voting dates for both Missouri's August 4th primary and November 3rd general election so you can plan ahead and make your vote count.
AUGUST 4TH
AMENDMENT 1: .10% SALES TAX
Amendment 1 extends a sales tax that has been in place since 1984 for the purpose of funding State Parks and the Soil & Water Conservation Fund. The extension would last 10 years if voters approve the measure. If the measure fails, it would result in .10% less sales tax collected. Funds collected are distributed in the following manner:
- 50% - Soil & Water Sales Tax Fund
- 50% - State Park Sales Tax Fund
AUGUST 4TH
AMENDMENT 2: Elected Assessor for Jackson County
Amendment 2 allows Jackson County to elect their County Assessor. Jackson County is the only county in Missouri that currently does NOT elect their assessor. 113 counties of the 114 already elect their Assessor, but not Jackson County. In recent years, Jackson County has had egregious hikes in their property taxes due to unfair assessment of property, classifications changes and more. Because the Assessor is appointed and not elected, he is not held accountable to the people. Amendment 2 would allow Jackson Countians to elect their own assessor - the same as every other Missouri county.
Please vote yes to allow Jackson County to elect their assessor. Thank you!
AUGUST 4TH
AMENDMENT 4: Initiative Petition
Amendment 4 changes the Initiative Petition process in Missouri.
The initiative petition is the way Missouri citizens make changes without the consent of the legislature. We have initiated constitutional amendments, statutory and veto-referendums.
It's an involved, expensive process and one that is most often taken advantage of by large, wealthy organizations often from out of state. The process is, unfortunately, not generally something average citizens are able to use due to the cost of collecting signatures.
Ballotpedia has a little history on the process you might be interested to read.
Currently, the requirements for an initiative to pass at the ballot box is a simple majority of votes in support.
This has led to the Missouri Constitution being easily changed due to the concentration of voters in urban areas who typically tend to vote in the same way. This leaves the rest of Missouri voters outnumbered and our constitution changing based, usually, on more liberal urban voter preferences.
If Amendment 4 passes, it would be virtually impossible for the Missouri Constitution to be changed through this process due to the requirement of ALL 8 Congressional district's approval.
A 'no' vote would result in no change.
A 'yes' vote would change the threshhold for the citizens constitutional initiative to be:
- 1. Simple majority across the state in favor
- 2. Simple majority in each Congressional district voting in favor
AUGUST 4TH
AMENDMENT 5: Allowing the MO Legislature 5 Years to Write New Sales Tax Code
Amendment 5 removes taxpayer protections from the MO Constitution in order to allow the MO legislature to have 5 years to pass laws that would increase sales tax, including creating sales tax on services, in order to phase out the State income tax.
Please note this will NOT affect your federal income tax in any way. This ONLY pertains to the Missouri State income tax.
Voting 'yes' is giving the legislature authority to codify ANY new taxes pertaining to goods & services.
Voting 'no' would mean no change.
