Below is an election guide, compiled by Student Life writers, to help WashU students understand Missouri candidates and ballot initiatives. If you are not registered in Missouri, or if you have more questions about voting, polling locations, and Election Day, visit the WashU Votes information hub.

Missouri Ballot Initiatives

Amendment 2: Yes to legalize sports betting; No to keep status quo, where sports betting is illegal. 

If this amendment passes, adults over the age of 21 would be able to bet on sports, including through online apps and at casinos. Proponents estimate sports betting would generate nearly $29 million a year for Missouri in tax revenues, with about $24 million of that going to schools, and critics have argued that there is no guarantee that sports gambling will actually generate any tax revenue.

Amendment 3: Yes to overturn Missouri’s abortion ban; No to keep Missouri’s abortion ban.

Amendment 3 seeks to add a “fundamental right to reproductive freedom,” including a right to abortion, to the Missouri constitution, while still allowing the state legislature to enact regulations on abortion after a fetus becomes viable. Since 2022, Missouri has had a ban on abortion with certain exceptions, including saving the life of the mother. 

Amendment 5: Yes to issue one additional gambling boat license; No to not issue the additional license. 

Amendment 5 seeks to allow the Missouri Gaming Commission to issue one more gambling boat license to operate on the Osage River between the Missouri River and the Bagnell Dam. The contract would go to Bally’s, a gambling enterprise that operates casinos nationwide, including a riverboat casino in Kansas City. If the amendment passes, revenue from the gambling boat will go towards funding early-childhood education. 

Amendment 6: Yes to authorize usage of court fees for salaries and pensions of current and retired law enforcement personnel; No to not authorize that usage. 

Amendment 6 seeks to authorize the usage of court fees to generate revenue for salaries and benefits of current and retired county sheriffs and prosecuting attorneys. The revenue generated would fund pensions for sheriffs and law enforcement personnel. Opponents say it would create a set of incentives that tie pensions to the amount of arrests and prosecutions performed. 

Amendment 7: Yes to require citizenship to vote and ban ranked-choice voting; No to allow municipalities to use ranked-choice voting and not add a citizenship requirement to vote in the state constitution.

Amendment 7 would prohibit ranked-choice voting or approval voting in the state of Missouri. Proponents of ranked-choice voting say it is a more representative and competitive system, while opponents say it is too confusing and expensive. In addition, though state law already prohibits non-citizens from registering to vote, this amendment would explicitly add a statement to the state constitution ensuring only U.S. citizens can vote.

Proposition A: Yes to increase the minimum wage and require paid sick leave; No to oppose this.

Proposition A would establish a $13.75/hour minimum wage by 2025, which would increase to $15/hour in 2026. Currently, Missouri’s minimum wage is $12.30/hour, the 17th-highest in the country. In addition, if passed, this proposition would require employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. 

Candidates on the Ballot

Missouri Senate

Republican incumbent Josh Hawley is facing off against U.S. Marine Corps veteran Lucas Kunce for a Senate seat. As Missouri’s attorney general, Hawley led litigation against the Affordable Care Act, and is currently running on his record on religious liberty and taking on big special interests. Kunce is running on bringing federal resources back to Missouri, his support from labor unions, his national security experience, and restoring abortion rights at the state level.

House Race: Missouri’s 1st District

St. Louis County prosecutor Wesley Bell is the new Democratic nominee for Congress in Missouri’s 1st District, and advocates for lowering health insurance costs and fighting climate change. Bell will face Republican marketing executive Andrew Jones Jr., who describes himself as a candidate pushing for “common-sense leadership.” His website focuses on closing the border, lowering national debt, and improving access to education. 

Missouri Governor Race

Republican Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe is running against Democratic State Representative Crystal Quade. Kehoe has served on the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission, in the State Legislature, and in the Lieutenant Governor’s office. Kehoe, who is pro-life and supported by former President Donald Trump, said Amendment 3 “goes way too far.” Quade, who grew up in rural Missouri, is prioritizing protecting abortion rights and standing up to special interests. 

Missouri Lieutenant Governor Race

Republican Attorney David Wasinger will face Democratic State Representative Richard Brown in November. Wasinger, who calls himself an “America First conservative,” is running on border security, opposing abortion, and protecting veterans and seniors. Brown, a former public-school teacher, has made few public comments, but supports strengthening healthcare and standing up for working families.

Missouri Attorney General Race

Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who was appointed by Missouri Governor Mike Parson in 2023, is running against civil rights attorney Democrat Elad Gross. Bailey opposed efforts to release exonerated people from prison. Per his website, Bailey, a U.S. Army veteran, wants to defend constitutional freedoms. Gross is running to “crack down on scammers, including those in our government.” 

Missouri Secretary of State Race

Republican State Senator Denny Hoskins is facing Democratic State Senator Barbara Phifer in the race for Secretary of State. Central to this campaign are debates around mail-in and absentee voting. State-level secretaries of state are in charge of overseeing statewide elections. Hoskins supports limiting absentee and mail vote options, while Phifer supports protecting and expanding these programs.

Missouri Treasurer Race

Incumbent Republican Treasurer Vivek Malek will face Democratic Army veteran Mark Osmack in November. Malek, who has been State Treasurer since 2023, will “emphasize the promise and possibilities of America” and “stand up to the woke agenda.” On his campaign website, Osmack says he will protect funding for veterans and seniors and increase resources for teachers and first responders. 

MO-HD99 (South 40) and MO-HD86 (Village, Forsyth, UCity, Loop) 

Democrats Ian Mackey and Jeff Hales are running unopposed for state representative, though voters are able to write-in candidates. The South 40 is represented by Mackey, who has prioritized education and food security during his time in office. Hales’ district includes the Village and off-campus areas north and west of campus. Running for his first term, Hales plans to prioritize abortion rights and LGBTQ+ rights.

MO-HD84 

Incumbent Democrat Del Taylor will face Republican Richard Cowell for a seat in the 84th House District, located east of campus within the city of St. Louis. Taylor emphasizes bringing state resources back to his district, boasting a return of $19 million to his district since he was elected. Cowell says he would champion pro-business policies, favor school-choice programs, and reform law enforcement to enact harsher penalties on criminals while lowering penalties for ordinance violations and misdemeanors.