As you head to the voting booth in the August Primary, there will be three joint resolutions set before the voters, according to Secretary of State Jason Kander. All three were referred to voters by the General Assembly.
The official ballot title for Constitutional Amendment 5 (SJR 36) reads:
* Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to include a declaration that the right to keep and bear arms is a unalienable right and that the state government is obligated to uphold that right?
State and local governmental entities should have no direct costs or savings from this proposal. However, the proposal's passage will likely lead to increased litigation and criminal justice related costs. The total potential costs are unknown, but could be significant.
The official ballot title for Constitutional Amendment 8 (HJR 48) reads:
* Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to create a "Veterans Lottery Ticket" and to use the revenue from the sale of these tickets for projects and services related to veterans?
The annual cost or savings to state and local governmental entities is unknown, but likely minimal. If sales of a veterans lottery ticket game decrease existing lottery ticket sales, the profits of which fund education, there could be a small annual shift in funding from education to veterans' programs.
The official ballot title for Constitutional Amendment 9 (SJR 27) reads:
* Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended so that the people shall be secure in their electronic communications and data from unreasonable searches and seizures as they are now likewise secure in their persons, homes, papers and effects?
State and local governmental entities expect no significant costs or savings.
The Missouri Constitution empowers the General Assembly to refer proposed constitutional amendments and general laws to voters. The amendments will take effect if a majority of voters approve.