The dust has finally settled. Missouri voters spent months being bombarded by TV ads, flyers, and heated dinner-table debates. When the actual night arrived, the missouri ballot initiatives 2024 results painted a picture of a state that is, quite honestly, a bit of a political enigma.
Voters here have a long history of "splitting the ticket." They'll vote for deeply conservative candidates while simultaneously passing progressive policies at the ballot box. 2024 was no different. We saw a constitutional right to abortion pass alongside a ban on ranked-choice voting. We saw the minimum wage go up while sports betting barely squeaked by. It was a wild ride for anyone following the "Show-Me State" politics.
The Big One: Amendment 3 and Reproductive Rights
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Amendment 3 was arguably the most watched measure in the country. It passed with about 51.6% of the vote. Basically, this amendment ends Missouri's near-total abortion ban.
It enshrines a "fundamental right to reproductive freedom" in the state constitution. This includes everything from prenatal care and birth control to abortion care. For two years, Missouri was one of the most restrictive states in the nation. Now, the legal landscape has shifted overnight.
The implementation isn't a simple "flip of a switch," though. Pro-choice advocates, including groups like Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, are already working through the courts to clear out old laws that conflict with this new constitutional right. You've probably heard people argue about "fetal viability"—the amendment allows the legislature to regulate abortion after that point, but only if there are exceptions for the health and life of the mother. It’s a nuanced victory that still faces plenty of legal scrutiny.
Betting on the Win: Amendment 2 and Sports Wagering
If you thought the abortion vote was close, look at the sports betting numbers. Amendment 2 passed by a razor-thin margin—less than 3,000 votes out of nearly 3 million cast. We’re talking about a difference of roughly 0.1%.
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What does this actually mean for you?
- Legal Apps: Major players like DraftKings and FanDuel will likely be live in Missouri by late 2025.
- Tax Revenue: There is a 10% tax on wagering revenue.
- Education Funding: Most of that tax money is earmarked for Missouri schools.
Supporters, led by the state's professional sports teams like the Cardinals and Chiefs, spent a fortune on this. They argued that Missouri was losing millions to neighboring states like Kansas and Illinois. Critics, however, pointed out that the "education funding" might not be the windfall people expect due to how tax deductions for the gambling companies are structured. Either way, it's coming. You'll soon be able to place a bet from your couch in St. Louis or Springfield.
A Raise for the Workforce: Proposition A
While the constitutional amendments got the most headlines, Proposition A is going to have the most immediate impact on your wallet. This was a statutory change, not a constitutional one. It passed comfortably with over 57% of the vote.
Here is the schedule for the new minimum wage:
- January 1, 2025: $13.75 per hour.
- January 1, 2026: $15.00 per hour.
After 2026, the wage will be adjusted every year based on inflation. But there’s a second half to this law that’s just as big: paid sick leave. Most private employers now have to let workers earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours they work. For a lot of service workers in Missouri, this is the first time they’ve ever had a safety net if they get the flu.
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The "Ballot Candy" and Amendment 7
You might have noticed Amendment 7 on your ballot and thought, "Wait, isn't non-citizen voting already illegal?"
You're right. It is.
This is what political scientists often call "ballot candy." By putting a popular, already-illegal issue (non-citizen voting) at the top of the amendment, the legislature encouraged a "yes" vote for the other thing tucked inside: a ban on ranked-choice voting.
Amendment 7 passed with a massive 68% of the vote. It does three specific things:
- It changes the constitution to say "only" citizens can vote (instead of "all" citizens).
- It bans ranked-choice voting statewide.
- It protects the "one person, one vote" plurality system.
St. Louis got a bit of a pass here because they already use a version of "approval voting," which was grandfathered in. But for the rest of the state, the door to alternative voting systems is now firmly shut.
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What Didn't Make the Cut?
Not everything passed. Amendment 5, which would have allowed a new casino on the Osage River near the Lake of the Ozarks, was rejected. Voters seem to have a limit on how much gambling they want to invite into the state at one time.
Then there was Amendment 6. This one was a bit confusing—it dealt with court fees to fund salaries and benefits for sheriffs and prosecutors. Voters said "no" to that one, too. It seems Missourians are generally wary of using court fees as a piggy bank for specific departments, even if it's for law enforcement.
Why the Missouri Ballot Initiatives 2024 Results Matter
Honestly, these results show that Missouri is a complicated place. You can't just slap a "red state" label on it and call it a day. While the state went heavily for Donald Trump and Josh Hawley, the voters also chose to raise their own wages and protect reproductive rights.
It shows that when you take the "party" out of the equation and just ask people about specific issues, they often lean more toward the middle—or even the left—than their voting record for candidates suggests.
Actionable Insights for Missourians
If you're wondering what to do next, keep an eye on these three things:
- Check Your Paystub: If you’re an hourly worker, make sure your employer bumps you to $13.75 in January 2025.
- Monitor the Courts: Amendment 3 is in effect, but legal battles over specific clinic regulations are just beginning. Access won't be "normal" for a while.
- Wait for the Apps: Don't download shady betting apps yet. Wait for the official Missouri Gaming Commission rollout to ensure your money is actually protected by state law.
The 2024 election proved that the ballot initiative process is still the most powerful tool Missourians have to bypass a deadlocked or unaligned legislature. Whether you're happy with the results or not, the people definitely had their say.