5 statewide ballot measures up for vote

Heather Mosley | SBJ

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2022 Election Coverage

Missouri voters will face five ballot measures in the Nov. 8 general election.

The Missouri Secretary of State’s Office lists four amendments and a question that will be on the ballot:

Amendment 1: 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?

Cost: 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.

According to the Secretary of State, a “yes” vote would grant the General Assembly authority to invest state funds and expand the state treasurer’s investment options. The General Assembly does not currently have this authority.

A “no” vote would limit the Treasurer to investing state funds only in the investment options currently approved by the Constitution.

[There is no Amendment 2.]

Amendment 3: 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 21;
• require a registration card for personal cultivation with prescribed limits;
• allow persons with certain marijuana-related nonviolent 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 6% tax on the retail price of marijuana to benefit various programs?

Cost: 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.

A “yes” vote would legalize marijuana for personal use by adults.

A “no” vote will not amend the Constitution. Medical marijuana use would remain unchanged.

Amendment 4: 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?

Cost: State and local governments estimate no additional costs or savings.

A “yes” vote would allow the General Assembly to increase minimum funding for such a police force. Currently, the only police force established by the state board of police commissioners is in Kansas City.

Amendment 5: 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?

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

A “yes” vote would create the state agency, headed by an adjutant general appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

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

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.