Missouri soundly defeats Amendments 4 and 5

Missouri voters delivered clear results in Tuesday’s primary election, rejecting two closely watched constitutional amendments while approving measures tied to parks funding and county government operations.

Voters turned down Amendment 5, a proposal that would have begun phasing out Missouri’s individual income tax as state revenues grew and allowed lawmakers to expand sales taxes to replace the lost revenue. The measure was one of the most heavily debated questions on the ballot and marked a rare attempt by a state legislature to seek voter approval for eliminating the income tax. Amendment 5 was defeated by a wide margin.

Missouri voters also rejected Amendment 4, which would have raised the threshold for citizen-led constitutional amendments. The proposal would have required future initiative petitions to win not only a statewide majority but also majority support in each of Missouri’s congressional districts. Supporters argued the measure would ensure broader statewide support for constitutional changes, while opponents said it would make it significantly harder for voters to amend the state constitution.

Meanwhile, voters approved Amendment 1, renewing a one-tenth of one percent sales tax that funds Missouri state parks, historic sites, and soil and water conservation programs. The tax generates about $140 million annually and has been renewed by voters every 10 years since 1984. Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Kurt Schaefer praised the outcome, saying it provides continued support for conservation and park programs across the state.

Voters also approved Amendment 2, which requires all charter counties in Missouri to elect their county assessors. The measure primarily affects Jackson County, which had been the only charter county in the state to appoint its assessor rather than elect the position.

Congressional races also an attraction for voters

Several congressional primaries also drew attention across Missouri.

In Missouri’s newly redrawn 5th Congressional District, Republican State Sen. Rick Brattin won the GOP nomination and will face Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver in November. Brattin defeated Micah Beebe, Taylor Burks, Brett Hueffmeier, Berton Knox and Brad Patty in the Republican primary. The race drew national attention after President Donald Trump endorsed Brattin on the eve of the election.

In northern Missouri’s 6th Congressional District, conservative talk radio host Chris Stigall won the Republican nomination to succeed retiring Congressman Sam Graves. Stigall, who was endorsed by Graves, defeated four Republican opponents and now heads into the general election as the favorite in the Republican-leaning district.

Incumbent Republican congressmen also secured nominations Tuesday. U.S. Rep. Mark Alford won the Republican primary in Missouri’s 4th Congressional District, while U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison captured the GOP nomination in the 7th Congressional District. Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Onder also won renomination in Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District and will face Democrat Bethany Mann in November.

First statewide vote under new Congressional map

Tuesday’s election marked the first statewide vote conducted under Missouri’s new congressional map, which was approved by lawmakers in 2025. The map remains the subject of an ongoing legal dispute after Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected an effort to place a referendum challenging the districts before voters. Opponents of the map have filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn that decision.

The results set the stage for Missouri’s November general election. Voters will decide congressional races and continue debates over taxation, government structure and constitutional reform.

Mathew Pilger, Missourinet

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Mathew Pilger is a political correspondent for Missourinet, joining in spring 2025. Before joining Missourinet, he worked as news and sports director of Country 96 KWWR and KXEO in Mexico, Missouri.

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