Election Day is August 4, and voters across Missouri, Kansas, and Kansas City will have several important questions on the ballot.
Missouri voters will decide four constitutional amendments. Kansas voters will weigh in on one constitutional amendment. Kansas City voters will also see five local ballot questions that could affect housing, infrastructure, economic development, and public utilities.
Here's a straightforward look at what's on the ballot and what each measure would do.
Missouri Amendment 1: Parks, Soil, and Water Conservation Tax Renewal
This measure would continue Missouri's existing one-tenth-cent sales tax that funds state parks, soil conservation, and water conservation programs for another 10 years. The tax currently generates about $140 million annually.
- A YES vote continues the existing tax.
- A NO vote allows the tax to expire.
Business impact: The measure would continue funding Missouri's state parks and outdoor recreation economy. It does not create a new tax regardless of the outcome.
Missouri Amendment 2: County Assessors
This amendment would require charter counties, including Jackson County, to elect their county assessor rather than allowing each county charter to determine how the position is filled.
- A YES vote makes county assessors elected offices in charter counties.
- A NO vote keeps the current system, allowing each county charter to decide.
Business impact: Property assessments affect commercial property owners and tenants. Jackson County voters approved an elected assessor in 2025.
Missouri Amendment 4: Initiative Petition Process
This proposal would change how citizen-led constitutional amendments are approved. Instead of passing with a statewide majority, amendments would also need majority support in all eight congressional districts. If approved, the change would take effect immediately.
- A YES vote requires majority approval in every congressional district.
- A NO vote keeps the current statewide majority requirement.
Business impact: Missouri's initiative petition process has been used to approve measures including Medicaid expansion, minimum wage increases, and paid sick leave. Under the proposed rules, recent citizen-led amendments would have faced a higher approval threshold.
Missouri Amendment 5: State Income Tax
This amendment would begin phasing out Missouri's state income tax while allowing broader use of sales taxes, including on some services that are not currently taxed.
- A YES vote begins the income tax phase-out and expands future sales tax authority.
- A NO vote keeps the current tax structure.
Business impact: Missouri's income tax provides roughly two-thirds of state revenue. Service-based businesses could see future sales taxes applied to services, although the state's official fiscal summary says the overall impact is unknown.
Kansas Constitutional Amendment: Supreme Court Selection
Kansas voters will decide whether to change how state Supreme Court justices are selected. The proposal would replace the current nominating commission with direct elections beginning in 2028.
- A YES vote moves to contested judicial elections.
- A NO vote keeps the current merit selection system with retention elections.
Business impact: Court decisions affect the legal and regulatory environment for businesses. Judicial elections could introduce campaign fundraising into Supreme Court races. All registered Kansas voters, including unaffiliated voters, may participate. Voters currently have the opportunity to remove sitting judges via elections.
Kansas City Question: Affordable Housing Bonds ($100 Million)
This proposal would authorize $100 million in bonds to replenish Kansas City's Housing Trust Fund, which has helped support approximately 3,500 affordable housing units. The city projects no increase to the current property tax rate because the bonds would replace retiring debt.
- A YES vote authorizes the bonds.
- A NO vote allows the Housing Trust Fund to expire in 2027.
Business impact: Supporters say the funding helps address Kansas City's estimated 64,000-unit housing shortage and expands workforce housing near employment centers.
Kansas City Question: Civic Buildings Bonds ($100 Million)
This measure would authorize $100 million in bonds, with $75 million dedicated to repairs at Bartle Hall and Municipal Auditorium and $25 million for improvements to City Hall. Like the housing proposal, the city projects no property tax rate increase because the bonds replace retiring debt.
- A YES vote authorizes funding for repairs and improvements.
- A NO vote leaves the current maintenance backlog unfunded.
Business impact: Convention and event facilities support hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, and other businesses throughout the Kansas City region.
Kansas City Question: Central City Sales Tax Renewal
This proposal would renew the existing one-eighth-cent sales tax that supports economic development projects on Kansas City's East Side for another 10 years.
- A YES vote renews the tax, generating about $10 million annually for development projects.
- A NO vote allows the tax to expire in 2027.
Business impact: The funding supports economic development and small business investment in the East Side community.
Kansas City Questions: Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds ($750 Million Each)
Voters will see two separate bond questions authorizing up to $750 million each for water and sewer infrastructure projects. These revenue bonds would be repaid through utility rates rather than property taxes. Much of the planned sewer work is required under federal regulations.
- A YES vote authorizes lower-cost borrowing through revenue bonds.
- A NO vote requires the city to pursue more expensive financing options while the infrastructure work would still need to be completed.
Business impact: The infrastructure projects are expected to move forward regardless of the election outcome. The vote primarily affects how the projects are financed, which could influence future water and sewer rates.
Make a Plan to Vote
Before heading to the polls, review your sample ballot and make a plan to vote on August 4. Every ballot question has long-term implications for public services, infrastructure, and the business community across the Kansas City region.
Resources:
Kansas - https://sos.ks.gov/elections/voter-information.html
Missouri- https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/govotemissouri/howtovote