Ballot issues may push more Missouri voters to the polling place next month. St. Louis University Political Science Professor Steve Rogers says
“If we look back to the primary we had on August 4th, we didn't have a statewide race outside of auditor on the ballot," Rogers says. "However, we had like record kind of turnout in that primary election. And in here with probably all the issues like affordability and items like that, people are going to probably be very much driven to the polls this November.”
Rogers says that the last poll of likely voters in August showed 43-percent favored Amendment 3 and 44 percent opposed. The rest were unsure. Voters will be deciding on key amendments, including one that could prohibit abortion in most cases
"And that race back in 2024 was decided just about by about two points. And then here our polling kind of indicates that we're probably going to suggest that it's probably going to be pretty tight again this November," Rogers explains.
Amendment 8 was placed on the ballot by lawmakers. It would create a constitutional requirement for election of county sheriffs. Most already are elected.
Rogers says what it does do that's unique is create a new framework for removal of sheriffs from office.
“But I think it's important to note what this amendment will do is centralize a little bit more power with the attorney general in Missouri about the removal of sheriff," Rogers says.
Under current statute a local prosecutor can also remove a sheriff. Another issue at the ballot could make it harder for lawmakers to change citizen-led initiatives as well as a ballot question on a new congressional map favorable to Republicans.
Missourinet