Missouri election results: AP calls 'yes' on abortion, mixed results for other amendments

Missouri election results: AP calls ‘yes’ on abortion, mixed results for other amendments

Posted by Admin November 6, 2024 Gambling

Staff reports
| Springfield News-Leader

Missouri Amendment 3 has passed, the Associated Press has declared, enshrining abortion rights in Missouri’s Constitution.

Other ballot issues also appeared headed toward passage, including sports betting and an increase in the state’s minimum wage.

The two initiatives trending toward “no” votes were those that would have allowed for a casino on the Osage River and another that would allow court costs to be levied to help pay for sheriff and prosecutor retirements.

Missouri ballots included five proposals to amend the state constitution — covering issues ranging from abortion to sports betting — as well as one proposition that would alter state law to raise the minimum wage and require employers offer paid sick leave.

As votes are being counted, here’s how each proposal is faring.

A yes vote on Amendment 2 would change the state constitution to legalize sports betting in Missouri. Heavily supported by coalition of Missouri sports teams and online gambling operators, it has been opposed by casinos and those who argue the tax proceeds — earmarked for education — won’t lead to a net benefit for schools.

Amendment 3, now approved, enshrines abortion-rights protections in the state’s Constitution, overwriting some portions of the state abortion ban that was activated when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The amendment, which would allow some restrictions on abortion after fetal viability, has been the subject of considerable debate between well-funded supporters of women’s rights and those opposed to abortion, who have said it would have far-reaching consequences.

Approval of Amendment 5 would amend the state constitution and expand riverboat gambling in Missouri to allow a casino on the Osage River, with state revenue from the casino earmarked for early-childhood literacy programs in public schools.

This amendment, if approved, would allow the state to levy court fees to support salaries and benefits for current and former sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys and circuit attorneys. The Missouri Supreme Court previously ruled a court surcharge to support sheriffs’ retirement benefits was unconstitutional.

Amendment 7, placed on the Nov. 5 ballots by the Missouri legislature, alters the state constitution to effectively ban ranked-choice voting in the state, as well as stipulating that only U.S. citizens can vote. Missouri’s Constitution already reserves the right to vote for “citizens” and state law requires voters to prove their citizenship before casting a ballot, which has led to criticism that the amendment concealed its true purpose. The proposal includes a carve-out that allows the city of St. Louis to continue using ranked-choice voting for some of its nonpartisan municipal elections.

Proposition A, which would modify state law rather than the constitution, allowing legislators to more easily change it later, would raise the minimum wage in Missouri — which currently stands at $12.30 an hour — and require employers to provide paid sick leave. If approved, Missouri’s minimum wage would increase to $13.75 an hour on Jan. 1, 2025, then to $15 an hour in 2026, with adjustments each year after that based on the Consumer Price Index. Employers would be required to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.