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In the lead up to this week’s primary election on August 4th, Health Forward Foundation weighed in on a number of ballot measures in Kansas, Missouri and Kansas City. Here’s a breakdown of Tuesday’s election results and how these measures will impact communities in our service areas:
Supreme Court Ballot Measure Results: Kansas Elections for Supreme Court Justices Amendment
Voters decided to reject the Supreme Court ballot measure by a vote of approximately 39% YES to 61% NO (as of 8/5/2026, 9 AM).
What this means for Kansans:
Kansas will continue to use the same merit-based nominating process that has been used in the state since 1958. This process requires the Kansas Governor to appoint a justice based upon nominees selected by the Supreme Court Nominating Commission. Kansas voters then have the option of retaining or removing judges during elections. Maintaining the current process supports the impartiality of the Supreme Court when rendering decisions and interpreting laws.
Amendment 4 Results: Require Congressional District Approval for Initiated Constitutional Amendments, Prohibit Foreign Contributions, and Penalize Petition Fraud Amendment
Voters decided to reject Amendment 4 by a vote of approximately 19.6% YES to 80.3% NO (as of 8/5/2026, 9 AM).
What this means for Missourians:
After the resounding results by voters, Missourians will maintain their ability to approve citizen-led ballot initiatives with a simple statewide majority vote. Missouri voters rejected the proposed increased threshold, which would have required a majority of voters in each of Missouri’s eight congressional districts to approve any citizen-led initiatives. This is a win for Missourians, as it protects their longstanding ability to directly enact public policy and hold their elected officials accountable.
“Civic participation is central to health and well-being. The citizen led ballot initiative process is a unique democratic tool available to Missourians and only 25 other states. Missourians’ votes to protect it were also votes to protect access to health care and economic opportunity to workplace protections and family stability and other rights our legislature has previously failed to support.”
Chief policy and impact officer McClain Bryant Macklin
Amendment 5 Results: Income Tax Elimination and Sales Tax Changes Amendment
Voters decided to reject Amendment 5 by a vote of approximately 16.7% YES to 83.3% NO (as of 8/5/2026, 9 AM).
In another resounding election result, voters rejected a proposal to eliminate the state income tax. This proposal would have allowed the expansion of sales and use taxes to replace the state income tax revenue – a shift our partners at Missouri Budget Project estimated would lead to a net tax increase for average Missourians. This is a win for Missourians, and signals to lawmakers that voters are not interested in overhauling the tax system in a way that would threaten cuts to public services and increase the burden for low- and middle-income taxpayers.
Question 1 Results: Affordable Housing
Voters decided to approve the measure to fund Kansas City’s Housing Trust Fund by a vote of 74.6% YES to 25.4% NO.
What this means for Kansas City, MO:
Kansas City will authorize $100 million in general obligation bonds to provide for the rehabilitation, preservation, and construction of affordable homes. With an estimated shortage of 64,000 affordable housing units in Kansas City, this vote directly addresses living costs for residents.
As principal impact strategist for the Place Team Jennifer Tidwell explained: “Expanding affordable housing is a surefire way for us to remove barriers to optimal health and improve health outcomes for Kansas Citians.”
Question 3 Results: Central City Economic Development Sales Tax
Voters decided to approve the measure to fund Kansas City’s Housing Trust Fund by a vote of 68.4% YES to 31.6% NO.
Approved by voters initially in 2017, the city will continue to charge a sales tax to provide for the development of projects and support small businesses in Kansas City’s East Side. According to the Housing & Community Development Department, the CCED has “delivered more than $88 million across 58 projects on Kansas City’s East Side, creating jobs, growing small and locally-owned businesses, and building sustainable neighborhoods.” This vote will continue to help a community historically divested by public and private dollars build community assets and improve quality of life.
