Missouri Supreme Court Rejects Amendment 5 Ballot Summary Appeal
Missouri’s highest court refuses to review revised ballot language for the income tax repeal measure, finalizing what voters will see on August 4.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI — The Missouri Supreme Court declined Monday to hear a last-minute appeal from supporters of Amendment 5, the measure to repeal the state income tax, who sought to revise the ballot summary voters will see on August 4.
The court acted on a request filed Sunday, refusing to review changes made by the Western District Court of Appeals to the summary for the proposal. The decision leaves intact the revised ballot language included in the appeals court’s Friday opinion.
Tuesday marks the deadline under state law for revising ballot language for the primary election. The Supreme Court provided no reason for declining to take the case.
Amendment 5 Details
Amendment 5 directs lawmakers to set revenue triggers for reducing and eventually eliminating the personal income tax. The measure represents Governor Mike Kehoe’s top priority for the year.
The constitutional amendment would allow legislators to increase the sales tax to replace revenue lost from eliminating the income tax. Kehoe has positioned the proposal as necessary to keep Missouri competitive with other states.
Governor Responds to Court Decision
In a statement issued Monday morning, Kehoe expressed disappointment with the court’s handling of the ballot language but maintained confidence in voter support.
“It is unfortunate that three unelected judges decided to mislead Missouri voters by rewriting the legislatively approved ballot language for Amendment 5,” Kehoe said. “Missouri is falling behind other states, and it is unproductive for judges to interfere with the legislative process.”
Campaign Phase Begins
With the ballot summary now finalized, campaigns supporting and opposing Amendment 5 enter the final phase of voter persuasion efforts ahead of the August 4 primary election.
The Western District Court of Appeals had modified the original ballot language in its Friday ruling, prompting the unsuccessful Supreme Court challenge from amendment supporters. The revised summary will be what Missouri voters encounter when they cast ballots next month.
The income tax repeal proposal has generated significant debate over its potential impact on state revenue and public services. Supporters argue eliminating the income tax will attract businesses and residents to Missouri, while opponents worry about funding cuts to essential government programs.
Amendment 5 requires a simple majority of votes to pass and would take effect upon approval by Missouri voters.
