Persisterhood of St. Joseph hosts panel to discuss November ballot measures

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The Persisterhood of St. Joseph hosted a ballot breakdown panel this week aimed at giving local voters more information about several measures that will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

Organizers described the gathering as a nonpartisan informational event, with guest speakers discussing individual ballot questions and explaining their potential effects.

During the event, the Persisterhood also shared its own recommendations with supporters. The organization urged voters to support Proposition K and Amendment 6 while opposing Amendments 3, 7 and 8, along with Proposition A.

One of the speakers, Chelsea Howlett of the Noyes Home for Children, advocated for Proposition K, a local measure organizers said would help provide funding for childcare services and agencies in St. Joseph.

Guest speaker Elizabeth Franklin encouraged residents to learn more about the measures before deciding how to vote.

“I think voters should be informed. The ballot measures are really nonpartisan measures,” Franklin said. “I think voters should learn about them and then decide, because many of these ballot measures can appeal to people of different parties.”

Several statewide measures will also appear on Missouri ballots this November.

According to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office, Amendment 3 asks voters whether to repeal the reproductive health care protections approved by Missouri voters in 2024 and replace them with provisions allowing abortion in certain circumstances, including medical emergencies, fetal anomalies and cases of rape or incest under 12 weeks of pregnancy. The proposal would also allow additional abortion regulations and prohibit gender-transition procedures for minors.

Tom Bastian, a representative of Stop the Ban Missouri, spoke during the event in opposition to Amendment 3.

“We, in fact, put a citizen-led initiative petition forward and ended that ban and protected the right to reproductive freedom,” Bastian said. “But now politicians are trying to overturn that work.”

Amendment 6 deals with Missouri’s initiative and referendum process. If approved, it would establish additional constitutional protections for citizen-led initiatives and require approval from at least 80% of both chambers of the Missouri General Assembly before lawmakers could make certain changes to laws enacted through the initiative process.

Amendment 7 proposes creating a permanent public endowment known as the Show-Me Prosperity Fund, with the long-term goal of using investment earnings to help replace state-imposed taxes. Amendment 8 deals with the election, duties and removal of county sheriffs.

Proposition A asks Missouri voters whether to approve the congressional district map passed by the General Assembly during a 2025 special session. A “yes” vote would approve that map, while a “no” vote would leave the congressional boundaries adopted in 2022 in place.

Missouri’s general election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.