The ballot initiatives include questions that could affect the future of the Missouri state park system, boost the cost of cigarettes, use and sales tax and make it harder for people to vote.
Constitutional Amendment 1
Missouri’s parks, soils and water sales tax
Amendment 1 allows Missourians to decide if the state should continue its one-tenth of one percent sales and use tax, which is used to support soil and water conservation and finance the state park and historic sites system.
The tax was first approved by voters in 1984, and then again in 1988, 1996 and 2006. The tax generates approximately $90 million each year half for soil and water conservation, and the other half for the operation of the state park system, which has 88 parks and historic sites.
In the past 30 year this tax is said to have saved 177 million tons of soil from washing into Missouri’s waterways, through programs offered by the soils and water conservation.
Constitutional Amendment 2
Campaign contribution limits
The proposed amendment will re-establish campaign contribution limits in Missouri. Limits were first approved by voters in 1994, but they were removed by the Legislature in 2008. Contributions would be capped at $2,600 per election for individual candidates and $25,000 for political parties under the measure.
Constitutional Amendment 3
Cigarette tax increase for early childhood education
The proposal would steadily increase taxes on cigarettes until 2020, when the total increase would reach 60 cents a pack. The amendment also would create a 67-cents-per-pack fee for wholesalers on certain discount-brand cigarettes.
The higher taxes would generate between $263 million and $374 million each year, with the revenues placed in an Early Childhood Health and Education Trust Fund and used for early childhood education.
Proposition A
Cigarette tax increase for transportation infrastructure
A second cigarette tax increase proposal would phase in a 23-cent increase over five years, with the proceeds going to fix roads and bridges. The proposal also would increase the tax that sellers pay on other tobacco products by 5 percent of the manufacturer’s invoice price.
When fully implemented, the tax increases would generate approximately $95 million to $103 million annually.
Both tax increase measures have been opposed by groups including the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association, which say neither increase is big enough.
It remains unclear what happens if both taxes are approved. Officials say it may mean both taxes would be added to the cost of tobacco products.
Constitutional Amendment 4
Prohibition on new sales and use taxes
The amendment would prohibit state or local sales or use taxes on services, such as haircuts or lawnmower repairs.
It comes in response to states such as North Carolina and Washington, which have enacted taxes on services as a way to avoid raising income or property taxes.
The amendment is backed by business organizations such as the Missouri Bankers Association, the Missouri Press Association and the Missouri Association of Realtors, which circulated the petition to put the amendment on the ballot.
Constitutional Amendment 6
Photo identification for voters
This amendment will allow voters to decide if the Constitution should be changed to require voters to present a specified form of identification in order to cast a ballot. Valid forms would include photo IDs issued by the state, the federal government or the military. The proposal also would require the state to pay for individuals to obtain a valid ID if they do not have one, or to obtain documents necessary for an ID.
The proposal also contains a provision allowing a voter without a valid photo ID to vote by signing an affidavit.
In other states, courts have struck down voter ID laws, raising questions about whether the proposal would pass constitutional muster if challenged.
See full amendments on pages 9, 10 and 11.