Info Alert: 2026 Missouri Ballot Measures Pose Threat to Worker’s Rights!

On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, Missouri voters will head to the polls to participate in the state’s primary election and vote on two proposed constitutional amendments that could have lasting impacts on workers, families, and communities across Missouri.

Before casting your ballot, take a few minutes to understand what these amendments would do and why they matter.

Amendment 4: Changes to Missouri’s Citizen Initiative Process (usw.to/5oL)

Currently, Missouri’s Constitution can be amended in two ways:

• Through a citizen initiative petition approved by a simple majority of voters.
• Through a constitutional amendment referred to the ballot by the Missouri Legislature and approved by a simple majority.

If approved, Amendment 4 would make citizen-led constitutional amendments much harder to pass – requiring approval from up to 95 percent of the state – while amendments referred by the Legislature would still require only a simple majority (50 percent plus one vote).

Missouri workers have successfully used the citizen initiative process before. In 2018, voters rejected the state’s anti-union Right-to-Work law through a citizen-led referendum (usw.to/3qi). Amendment 4 would make it much harder for Missourians to achieve similar citizen-driven changes in the future.

Amendment 5: Proposed Changes to Missouri’s Tax System (usw.to/5oL)

If approved, Amendment 5 could have significant consequences for Missouri families and public education.

• Expand the state’s sales tax to certain medical services, increasing out-of-pocket costs for services such as physical therapy, dental cleanings, and cancer screenings.
• Reduce funding available for Missouri’s public schools by an estimated $1.4 billion, which could lead to fewer teachers, larger class sizes, and reduced educational resources.

These changes could increase costs for working families while placing additional strain on Missouri’s public education system.

USW District 11 opposes Amendment 4 and 5 as they would have negative impacts on workers.

Be sure that you’re registered to vote for the August election!

You can check your registration status here: usw.to/5oz. If you’re not registered, you can register online (usw.to/5oy) until Wednesday, July 8, 2026.