This November, Missourians will vote on five amendments and one proposition. Many of these are impactful to citizens, present and future. A brief explanation is beneficial to all who are planning to vote. 

 Amendment 2:

  This amendment would legalize sports betting. The Missouri Gaming Commission would regulate it, and it would encompass all online and professional sports betting. A ten percent tax on all wagers would be collected, part of which would be distributed to education funding. 

  Voting “yes” would make sports betting legal in Missouri, and voting “no” would not make any changes and keep it illegal. 

Amendment 3:

  The passing of this amendment will reinstate the right for a woman to choose to have an abortion and other reproductive health rights, such as the right to contraceptives. This amendment would lift the current total abortion ban in the state and only have restrictions when the fetus is declared viable, except when the pregnancy risks the woman’s health. 

  Voting “yes” would make abortion legal, and voting “no” would not make any changes to the current law and abortion would continue to be illegal in Missouri. 

Amendment 5:

  This amendment will construct another casino on the Osage River, near the Bagnell Dam. This will amend the Missouri Constitution to allow 13 casino licenses to an additional 14. All state revenue from this new gambling boat license will be given to early childhood education literacy programs. 

  Voting “yes” would allow for an additional gambling boat license to be given, and voting “no” would have no changes and no further licenses would be allowed. 

Amendment 6:

  This amendment will impose fees to support all law enforcement personnel’s salaries and benefits. This would include current and former sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys, and circuit attorneys. It is said this amendment would have no effect on taxes. 

  Voting “yes” would levy costs to support law enforcement personnel, and voting “no” would not make any changes to levy costs. 

Amendment 7: 

  Ranked-choice voting will be eliminated with the passing of this amendment. Ranked-choice voting has voters rank the candidates from their favorite to their least, rather than picking one. 

  Voting “yes” would abolish this system and would require citizens to choose with only one vote per candidate. Voting “no” would keep ranked-choice voting. 

Proposition A:

  This proposition will cause the minimum wage to gradually increase from $12 an hour to $15. Starting January 1, 2025, the minimum wage will rise to $13.75 and reach $15 in 2026. This proposition will also instruct employers to start issuing one hour of paid sick leave per 30 hours worked to their employees. 

  Voting “yes” would make the minimum wage increase and require employers to give the stated sick leave, and voting “no” would make no changes by keeping the minimum wage at $12 and not calling for paid sick leave.