By Mark D. Pedersen
On November 5th, our nation’s citizenry will take part in perhaps the most important election since the Civil War. We, here in Missouri, will make our voices heard regarding the Presidency, as well as our representation in Washington, Jefferson City and Missouri’s courts. We will also be addressing five Constitutional Amendments and one Proposition.
This article is not meant to sway anyone’s voting, but rather, provide a little further perspective. Some issues, like electing the President, have been in our faces for months, Hell, years! Elections can and usually are rather confusing, even overwhelming. This one’s off the charts!
Using the sample ballot that was mailed to me, let’s take a closer look at what we will be facing at the polling place. The descriptions that follow, apart from my comments, were drawn directly from the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office website.
Follow this link to the “candidate” portion of the General Ballot.
Ballot Questions
As I have stated previously, I have NO confidence in John Ashcroft and the Office of the Missouri’s Secretary of State. The terribly divisive way that he drafted the Title Summary for my Cannabis legalization initiative this past year exemplified how they corruptly alter elections. (For more on that, you can check out my article, “The Problem with the Ballot Title”.)
Of course, I could have sued them to try to force a more accurate “Title”, as the proponents of Amendment 3 were forced to do (I believe three times), but that would have required securing an attorney and I knew that I didn’t have the funds for that. Ashcroft knew that too.
Sour grapes?? You bet! The Secretary’s sleazy move didn’t just hurt me. It negatively impacted every Missouri Cannabis patient and adult consumer, as well as everyone involved in the Cannabis industry. The Secretary of State, albeit corruptly, demonstrated that he had the power to shut down the people’s right to the initiative process.
They literally wrote into my initiative’s Ballot Title that if it would pass, it would cost Missouri citizens upwards of a billion dollars through the loss of Federal grants. Though this was a gross exaggeration that stood little chance of even marginally being true, Ashcroft’s actions effectively halted my effort to bring REAL Cannabis legalization to Missouri and my commitment to TRUTHFULLY destroy court records once and for all…
Oh yeah…that’s right… Your arrest records WERE NOT DESTROYED. They lied to you.
Across the country, Republican lawmakers have been working quite diligently to restrict, even eliminate our right to Initiative (our last vestige of “self-government”). Through the years, I have continued to monitor their attempts here in Missouri. As I mentioned in my article, “Missouri Lawmakers and Their War on Democracy”, Representative Mike Henderson of Bonne Terre had originally planned to hide their next assault in one of the initiatives that we will be voting on in the next Missouri General Election.
Truly, all this should overwhelmingly confirm to you just how fervent some political leadership is working to prevent Missourians from determining their own destiny.
Fact is, as long as the Secretary of State’s Office writes the Summaries for every bill that appears on the General Election Ballot, THEY – NOT THE PEOPLE – will determine the outcome of EVERY bill.
Here is my breakdown on the initiatives that were approved for the General Ballot, their summaries and my thoughts. I strongly encourage you to research EVERYTHING on the ballot before voting. PLEASE, PLEASE don’t make your decision based solely on my thoughts, or the Summaries found on your ballot. You can download each of the initiatives in their entirety from the Secretary of State’s website. From there, you can print them, mark them up with highlighters and discuss them with your friends and family. This is serious stuff. Please treat it as such. Our nation’s future depends on it.
Amendment 2 (gambling)
Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:
- allow the Missouri Gaming Commission to regulate licensed sports wagering including online sports betting, gambling boats, professional sports betting districts and mobile licenses to sports betting operators;
- restrict sports betting to individuals physically located in the state and over the age of 21;
- allow license fees prescribed by the Commission and a 10% wagering tax on revenues received to be appropriated for education after expenses incurred by the Commission and required funding of the Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund; and
- allow for the general assembly to enact laws consistent with this amendment?
State governmental entities estimate onetime costs of $660,000, ongoing annual costs of at least $5.2 million, and initial license fee revenue of $11.75 million. Because the proposal allows for deductions against sports gaming revenues, they estimate unknown tax revenue ranging from $0 to $28.9 million annually. Local governments estimate unknown revenue.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to permit licensed sports wagering regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission and restrict sports betting to individuals physically located in the state and over the age of 21. The amendment includes a 10% wagering tax on revenues received to be appropriated for educational institutions in Missouri.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding licensed regulated sports wagering.
If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
My comment:
Basically, voting YES for Amendment 2 will enable considerable expansion of gambling throughout the state. If that’s something you want for yourself and your community, perhaps you’ll want to vote YES. If you remember how badly the gaming industry failed in their promises when they initially sought to legalize gambling, you might want to take a closer look at what this initiative REALLY says. The fact is, such industries have not had a good track record at paying taxes… and, of course, 10% of 0 is still zero.
A vote No would suspend the efforts of the gaming industry for another four years.
Amendment 3 (abortion)
Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:
- establish a right to make decisions about reproductive health care, including abortion and contraceptives, with any governmental interference of that right presumed invalid;
- remove Missouri’s ban on abortion;
- allow regulation of reproductive health care to improve or maintain the health of the patient;
- require the government not to discriminate, in government programs, funding, and other activities, against persons providing or obtaining reproductive health care; and
- allow abortion to be restricted or banned after Fetal Viability except to protect the life or health of the woman?
State governmental entities estimate no costs or savings, but unknown impact. Local governmental entities estimate costs of at least $51,000 annually in reduced tax revenues. Opponents estimate a potentially significant loss to state revenue.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote establishes a constitutional right to make decisions about reproductive health care, including abortion and contraceptives, with any governmental interference of that right presumed invalid; removes Missouri’s ban on abortion; allows regulation of reproductive health care to improve or maintain the health of the patient; requires the government not to discriminate, in government programs, funding, and other activities, against persons providing or obtaining reproductive health care; and allows abortion to be restricted or banned after Fetal Viability except to protect the life or health of the woman.
A “no” vote will continue the statutory prohibition of abortion in Missouri.
If passed, this measure may reduce local taxes while the impact to state taxes is unknown.
My comment:
If you believe that Missourians should have the right to abortion, well, more than likely, you would see the passing of this Amendment to be only a partial win. This Amendment will, at best, make it legal for a woman to have an abortion ONLY prior to “Fetal Viability” (which may not be easily determined), or to protect the woman’s life or health. Though there are generalized promises of greater freedoms, they are only that and will more than likely leave the door open for attempts at reinstatement of further restrictions down the line.
A vote No would leave the issue of abortion as it currently is – ILLEGAL – for another four years.
Amendment 5 (gambling)
Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:
- Allow the Missouri Gaming Commission to issue one additional gambling boat license to operate on the portion of the Osage River from the Missouri River to the Bagnell Dam;
- Require the prescribed location shall include artificial spaces that contain water and are within 500 feet of the 100-year base flood elevation as established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
- Require all state revenues derived from the issuance of the gambling boat license shall be appropriated to early-childhood literacy programs in public institutions of elementary education?
State governmental entities estimate on-time costs of $763,000, ongoing costs of $2.2 million annually, initial fee revenue of $271,000, ongoing admission and other fee revenue of $2.1 million annually, and annual gaming tax revenue of $14.3 million. Local governments estimate unknown revenue.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to allow the Missouri Gaming Commission to issue an additional gambling boat license to operate an excursion gambling boat on the Osage River, between the Missouri River and the Bagnell Dam. All state revenue derived from the issuance of the gambling boat license shall be appropriated to early-child literacy programs in public institutions of elementary education.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding gambling boat licensure. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
My comment:
Amendment 5 is yet another expansion of gambling in our state, using “tax dollars going to schools” as the bait. Again, all claims of appropriated funds are estimates…nothing locked in…no guarantees, despite claims to the contrary.
Let there be no misunderstanding. This is the Missouri Gaming Commission wanting to expand the cash flow for private industry. Any references to Missouri schools is ONLY a ploy to secure your vote.
A vote Yes will further expand gambling in the Ozarks. A vote No will leave things as they are for another four years.
Amendment 6 (funding law enforcement through court fees)
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to provide that the administration of justice shall include the levying of costs and fees to support salaries and benefits for certain current and former law enforcement personnel?
State and local governmental entities estimate an unknown fiscal impact.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to levy costs and fees to support salaries and benefits for current and former sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys, and circuit attorneys to ensure all Missourians have access to the courts of justice.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to levy costs and fees related to current or former sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys and circuit attorneys.
If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
My comment:
If passed, Amendment 6 would allow Missouri to fund salaries and pensions for elected county sheriff’s and prosecutors through court fees. What this could and most probably would mean is, if passed, an officer’s income and retirement, rather than justice, could become the incentive for writing tickets and fines. I imagine a good many of you, like myself, have endured this sort of “tickets for profit” scheme in small communities across the country. A vote Yes would allow them to implement this across Missouri, literally writing it into our state’s Constitution where it will not be easily changed.
If voted down, it would prevent this scheme from being implemented.
Amendment 7 (citizen only voting, single vote per candidate)
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
- Make the Constitution consistent with state law by only allowing citizens of the United States to vote;
- Prohibit the ranking of candidates by limiting voters to a single vote per candidate or issue; and
- Require the plurality winner of a political party primary to be the single candidate at a general election?
State and local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “Yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to specify that only United States citizens are entitled to vote, voters shall only have a single vote for each candidate or issue, restrict any type of ranking of candidates for a particular office and require the person receiving the greatest number of votes for each office at the general election shall be declared the winner. This provision does not apply to any nonpartisan municipal election held in a city that had an ordinance in effect as of November 5, 2024, that requires a preliminary election at which more than one candidate advances to a subsequent election.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to make any changes to how voters vote in primary and general elections. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
My comment:
Amendment 7 is some sketchy partisan stuff.
1. First off, “NO ONE CAN VOTE IN AN ELECTION UNLESS THEY ARE A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES?” THAT’S ALREADY LAW. This statement has been used quite exhaustively by members of the Republican Party, which poses the question…WHY?? Yet another fear tactic? Why would a lawmaker insist on putting yet more clutter into our state’s Constitution when it’s already there? Missouri Republicans have been complaining about “glut” in our state’s Constitution ever since the passage of our medical Cannabis Amendment. So why the hypocrisy??
This is an attempt to force a “YES” vote for this particular measure, since it obligates every good citizen to make an obvious Yes answer. I have personally witnessed this kind of manipulation of voting through the wording of a Summary a few times. Lawmakers apparently have no problem with tricking their constituents into voting the way they want.
The thing the voting public needs to do is look at the other issues that form the Amendment so as to ascertain the REAL reason for their efforts.
2. Amendment 7 would also prohibit the “ranking” of candidates, this is referring to ongoing discussions regarding “plurality” voting. This can be confusing to understand, but basically allows voters to assemble candidates by preference rather than a single vote per each office. Like I said, confusing.
3. Amendment 7 also requires that only one candidate from each party will advance beyond the primary.
A vote No would not allow anyone who is not a citizen to vote. As I said, that was determined a very long time ago. This is just scammy partisan politics.
Proposition A (increase minimum wage)
Do you want to amend Missouri law to:
- Increase minimum wage January 1, 2025 to $13.75 per hour, increasing $1.25 per hour each year until 2026, when the minimum wage would be $15.00 per hour;
- Adjust minimum wage based on changes in the Consumer Price Index each January beginning in 2027;
- Require all employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every thirty hours worked;
- Allow the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to provide oversight and enforcement; and
- Exempt governmental entities, political subdivisions, schools districts and education institutions?
State governmental entities estimate one-time costs ranging from $0 to $53,000, and ongoing costs ranging from $0 to at least $256,000 per year by 2027. State and local government tax revenue could change by an unknown annual amount depending on business decisions.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend Missouri statutes to increase the state minimum wage beginning January 1, 2025 to $13.75 per hour and increase the hourly rate $1.25 to $15.00 per hour beginning January 2026. Annually the minimum wage will be adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index. The law will require employers with fifteen or more employees to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every thirty hours worked. The amendment will exempt governmental entities, political subdivisions, school districts and education institutions from the minimum wage increase.
A “no” vote will not amend Missouri law to make changes to the state minimum wage law.
If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
My comment:
This Proposition would increase the minimum wage by $1.25 per hour each year until January 2026 and then, from January 2027 forward, adjusted according to the Consumer Price Index. It also requires employers to provide one hour sick leave for every 30 hours worked.
Of course, government entities and teachers would be exempt, pointing to the fact that perhaps this Proposition doesn’t go far enough.
In Closing
The Very existence of the Initiative process could quite literally be hanging in the balance with this election. If it goes away, more than likely it will happen with little recognition of it’s going, much the same as we have seen with restrictions on the program that have been imposed over the last few General Elections. Poorly or divisively worded Summaries have sufficiently hidden the intentions of a few to eliminate this vitally important part of our state’s government. Only with a “Grassroots” effort of widespread education can we hope to save our right to Initiative. Understand that without it, we would not have been able to appreciate many of the freedoms we take for granted today… like being able to pursue truth when our “paid” lawmakers drop the ball or champion legislation that is contrary to the will of Missourians. We must do all we can to preserve this most vital means of “self-government”.
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“Cannabis is nontoxic. Cannabis is food. Cannabis is the single most important medicine of the 21 Century.”
