The following Fair Ballot Language, from the Missouri Secretary of State’s website, simplifies the language of the constitutional amendments and propositions which will appear on the ballot November 8.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1
A “yes” vote will continue for 10 years the one-tenth of one percent sales/use tax that is used for soil and water conservation and for state parks and historic sites. This will be resubmitted to the voters for approval in 10 years.
A “no” vote will not continue this sales/use tax. If passed, this measure will not increase or decrease taxes.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to establish limits on campaign contributions by individuals or entities to political parties, political committees, or committees to elect candidates for state or judicial office. This amendment prohibits individuals and entities from intentionally concealing the source of such contributions. This amendment also requires corporations or labor organizations to meet certain requirements in order to make such contributions. This amendment further provides a complaint process and penalties for any violations of this amendment.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to establish limits on campaign contributions.
If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 3
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to increase taxes on cigarettes each year through 2020, at which point this additional tax will total 60 cents per pack of 20. This amendment also creates a fee paid by cigarette wholesalers of 67 cents per pack of 20 on certain cigarettes. This amendment further provides that the funds generated by these taxes and fees shall be deposited into a newly established Early Childhood Health and Education Trust Fund.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution relating to taxes and fees on cigarettes.
If passed, this measure will increase taxes on cigarettes.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 4
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to prohibit a new state or local sales/use or other similar tax on any service or transaction. This amendment only applies to any service or transaction that was not subject to a sales/use or similar tax as of January 1, 2015.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to prohibit such state or local sales/use or other similar tax.
If passed, this measure will not increase or decrease taxes.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 6
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to state that voters may be required by law to verify their identity, citizenship, and residence by presenting identification that may include valid government-issued photo identification. Exceptions to this identification requirement may also be provided by law.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding elections. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
PROPOSITION A
A “yes” vote will amend Missouri law to increase taxes on cigarettes in 2017, 2019, and 2021, at which point this additional tax will total 23 cents per pack of 20. This amendment also increases the tax paid by sellers on other tobacco products by 5 percent of manufacturer’s invoice price. This amendment further provides that the funds generated by these taxes shall be used exclusively to fund transportation infrastructure projects. These taxes are repealed if a measure to increase any tax or fee on cigarettes or other tobacco products is certified to appear on any local or statewide ballot.
A “no” vote will not amend Missouri law relating to taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products.
If passed, this measure will increase taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products.