Amendment 8Constitutional amendment · Put on the ballot by lawmakers
Require elected county sheriffs
Explain it like I'm 5
Most Missouri counties already elect their sheriffs. This would put that rule, the sheriff's duties, and a harder removal process into the state constitution.
Yes vote
Requiring elected county sheriffs, defining core duties constitutionally, and limiting removal to a court process initiated by the attorney general.
No vote
Leaving sheriff elections, duties, and removal rules under current law rather than adding the proposed constitutional requirements.
The question to ask yourself
Is stronger constitutional protection for elected sheriffs worth reduced flexibility and a harder removal process?
The case for
- Keeps the chief county law-enforcement office accountable to local voters.
- Defines the sheriff's role and protects it from being changed easily by ordinary legislation.
- Supporters say the removal limits protect sheriffs from arbitrary political pressure.
Backed by: Missouri Sheriffs' Association, State Sen. Jill Carter, Republican Party of Missouri
The case against
- Most counties already elect sheriffs, so the practical change may be limited.
- Harder removal could make accountability for misconduct more difficult.
- Constitutionalizing detailed duties reduces local and legislative flexibility.
Opposed by: Democratic Party of Missouri, League of Women Voters of Missouri, Act for Missouri, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas
- Money
- State and local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings, and the measure will not increase or decrease taxes.
- Don't be misled
- Saying this merely preserves sheriff elections is misleading because it also changes duties and makes removal more difficult.