November 3 is an important election day. In addition to voting for federal and state offices, judges, the state auditor and more, voters will decide on four constitutional amendments and one statewide proposition.
An amendment changes Missouri’s Constitution. Constitutional provisions generally have greater legal authority than ordinary state laws. A proposition asks voters to approve or reject a law passed by the General Assembly.
Voters are encouraged to review the official ballot language and constitutional text. Talk with family, friends and neighbors – the language on the ballot can be confusing.
Amendment 3 Abortion and Gender-Transition Procedures for Minors
Amendment Three would repeal the reproductive-health-care rights amendment approved by Missouri voters in 2024. It restricts abortion to specified circumstances, including rape, incest, medical emergencies and certain fetal anomalies, with rape and incest exceptions limited to 12 weeks of pregnancy. It would allow the legislature to regulate abortion, require parental consent for minors seeking abortions and prohibit gender-transition procedures for minors.
Supporters and opponents disagree about the effects of the proposals and whether these issues should be addressed through the Constitution. The measure combines abortion policy with restrictions on gender-transition procedures, making both subjects part of one constitutional amendment.
Amendment 6 Initiative and Referendum Rights
Amendment Six would establish initiative and referendum powers as a fundamental constitutional right and restrict the legislature from weakening those powers. It would maintain current signature requirements and the requirement that a statewide simple majority approve an initiative or referendum. It would require approval by at least 80 percent of both legislative chambers before the legislature could change or repeal laws enacted through an initiative. Courts would be allowed to revise ballot wording through lawsuits.
Amendment 7 Show-Me Prosperity Fund
Amendment Seven would establish a public endowment called the Show-Me Prosperity Fund. The fund would be intended to generate enough investment income to replace state-imposed taxes. Money could come from legislative appropriations, gifts, donations and grants. The fund would be invested per constitutional requirements. The amendment would limit withdrawals and allow the legislature to impose taxes or other revenues if the fund can’t meet its obligations.
Amendment 8 County Sheriffs
Amendment Eight would place existing provisions concerning county sheriffs into the Missouri Constitution. It would require sheriffs to be elected every four years and establish constitutional provisions regarding their duties. An elected sheriff could be removed only through a writ of quo warranto initiated by the Attorney General. A “no” vote would leave the current statutory system in place.
Proposition A Congressional Districts
Proposition A asks voters whether to approve House Bill One, which would replace Missouri’s current congressional district boundaries with a new map enacted by the General Assembly. A “yes” vote would approve the new boundaries; a “no” vote would leave the 2022 congressional map in place.
The congressional map has been the subject of litigation. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to allow the proposed map to be used for this election, leaving the referendum for voters to decide.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2026.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
