The More We Know:
Everything You Need to Know About Voting on August 4
The Voting Rights Committee at Congregation Shaare Emeth wants to help you prepare to vote and make informed decisions. Additionally, we aim to keep you updated on issues that you can advocate for, based on our Reform Jewish beliefs.
If you have any questions, please contact one of our committee members:
Holly Bernstein, Wendy Flusser, Ashley and Ann Loiterstein, or Debby Price.
Week of July 7, 2026
This Week’s Tasks
- This Wednesday, July 8, by 5 pm is the last day to register to vote in the August 4th Primary Election.
Determine how you will cast your vote! Bonus task: Ask your college students, family, and friends whether they have decided how they will cast their votes.
- Absentee in Person Without Excuse:
- Our #1 recommended way to vote if it works for you!
- Available July 21 through August 3 at select times and locations
- Check your local Board of Elections for dates, times, and locations. Bring your government-issued photo ID.
- In Person on Election Day, Tuesday, August 4:
- Although we recommend submitting your vote before Election Day, you can also cast your vote in person on Election Day, August 4th!
- Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sample Ballot for St. Charles
To learn more about the amendments that are on the ballot, view the recording from our June 23 program.
What the Amendments Mean:
Amendment 1: Continue Sales/Use Tax for Soil & Water Conservation, State Parks & Historic Sites
Ballot Summary
Shall Missouri continue for 10 years the one-tenth of one percent sales/use tax that is used for soil and water conservation and for state parks and historic sites, and resubmit this tax to the voters for approval in 10 years? The measure allows continued collection of the existing sales and use tax, which generates revenue of approximately $140 million annually.
Fair Ballot Language: From Secretary of State Website
A “yes” vote will continue for 10 years the one-tenth of one percent sales/use tax that is used for soil and water conservation and for state parks and historic sites. This will be resubmitted to the voters for approval in 10 years.
A “no” vote will not continue this sales/use tax and could lead to increased costs to using state parks and historic sites. If passed, this measure will not increase or decrease taxes.
Amendment 2: Require Election and Training of County Assessor
Ballot Summary
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to: require all charter counties, including Jackson County, to provide for the election of a county assessor; and require assessors in all charter counties to comply with any training requirements established by general law? State and local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.
Fair Ballot Language: (from Secretary of State website)
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to require that all charter counties, including Jackson County, elect a county assessor and that such assessors comply with training requirements established by state law.
A “no” vote will not change the current constitutional provisions, which exempt Jackson County from the requirement to elect its assessor and do not require charter county assessors to follow training requirements under general law.
If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
Amendment 4: Require Congressional District Approval for Initiated Constitutional Amendments
Ballot Summary
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to: Modify current requirements that a statewide majority of voters may approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution; Require a majority of voters in each congressional district to approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution; and make available to each voter the full text of initiative petitions with their ballot?
Yes on Amendment 4 would:
Require a majority of voters in EVERY congressional district to approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution; and allow as few as 6% to stop a ballot initiative that 94% approve. One district would stop the amendment even if all the others supported it. Make it essentially impossible for Missouri citizens to implement a constitutional amendment through the petition process because the bar is too high.
No on Amendment 4 would:
Save our ability to make our voices heard by requiring a simple majority vote across the state of Missouri to pass a citizen-led constitutional amendment.
Keeps the current initiative petition process in place so that citizens can have the opportunity to have their voices heard and demand a vote.
Amendment 5: To Repeal Missouri State Income Tax
Ballot Summary
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to require legislative phase-out of the individual state income tax based on revenue growth, and authorize the expansion of sales and use taxes; curtail constitutional limits on taxing goods and services; and require local tax rate cuts without reducing school funding if local sales tax revenue increases?
Disinformation: Amendment 5 does not protect state funding for schools
What should I know?
60-80% of Missourians would see an increase in taxes if this passes, and only the wealthiest Missourians with incomes near $300,000 or higher would see a decrease in their taxes. Middle-income Missourians earning $65,000/year would face a $535 net tax increase. This would authorize the legislature to increase sales and use taxes on any and all goods and services not currently taxed in Missouri.
Yes on Amendment 5 would:
Phase out the state individual income tax, which supports the state’s spending on K-12 schools, infrastructure, and other essential services. Authorize the legislature to increase sales and use taxes on all goods and services not currently taxed in Missouri (including real estate, health care, gasoline, etc.)
Increase taxes paid by many seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who are currently exempt from income taxes.
Cut services Missourians rely on, like education, mental health services, child care and foster care, and senior care, like Meals on Wheels and respite care.
No on Amendment 5 would:
Preserve Missouri’s current state individual income tax (which is limited to 4.7%). Preserve current restrictions on the state sales tax (no new sales or use tax on services, or on goods not presently taxed).
Protect businesses located on Missouri’s borders from losing customers to states with lower sales taxes. Allow local jurisdictions to generate tax revenue to fund local needs and keep up with population growth, within current constitutional limits. Allow the state to continue funding essential public services without increasing the tax burden on those who can least afford it.
The summaries above are based on information provided by the League of Women Voters.
Need Your Ballot Notorized?
Shaare Emeth volunteer notaries are available to notarize your absentee ballot. While notaries are not available at the Temple, they have designated on-call times and will arrange a convenient meeting location.
Available Dates & Times:
- July 6 from 2–4 p.m.
- July 8 from 9–11 a.m.
- July 9 from 5–7 p.m.
- July 13 from 2–4 p.m.
- July 15 from 9–11 a.m.
- July 16 from 5–7 p.m.
- July 20 from 2–4 p.m.
- July 22 from 9–11 a.m.
- July 23 from 5–7 p.m.
- July 27 from 2–4 p.m.
- July 29 from 9–11 a.m.
To schedule a notary, please call or text Sue Matlof at 314-378-3616 and let her know which date and time listed above you need a ballot notarized. If the dates and times below do not work for you, please visit the St. Louis County Board of Elections at 725 NW Plaza Drive. St. Ann, MO.
Interested in actions you can take to protect voting rights at the state and federal levels? Let us know by emailing Voting Rights Committee co-chair Holly Bernstein at holly.e.bernstein@gmail.com
