Amendment 8: County sheriffsPut elected county sheriffs in the constitution; limit how they can be removed
Read the full text of the measure: Secretary of State 2026 ballot measures page
In plain words
Today state laws, not the constitution, say counties elect a sheriff every four years and set the sheriff's duties. This amendment moves those rules into the constitution, so lawmakers could not change them without another statewide vote. It also says an elected sheriff can be removed only by a court case the Attorney General starts. St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County are left out. (ky3.com )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| Electing a sheriff every 4 years | Required by state law | Required by the constitution |
| Sheriff's duties | Set by state law | In the constitution |
| Removing an elected sheriff | Set by state law; no recall vote | Only by a court case (quo warranto) started by the Attorney General |
| St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County | Own rules | Not covered by the amendment |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (sos.mo.gov (Missouri Secretary of State) )
Biggest change
- Requires counties to elect a sheriff every four years and moves sheriffs' duties from state law into the constitution. source: sos.mo.gov (Missouri Secretary of State)
- An elected sheriff may be removed only through a writ of quo warranto started by the Attorney General. source: sos.mo.gov (Missouri Secretary of State)
- Exempts St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County. source: ky3.com
Who it affects most: County sheriffs and voters in the other counties covered.
Cost to the state: State and local governments estimate no costs or savings. It does not raise or lower taxes.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
The elected county sheriff and the sheriff's duties go into the constitution, and a sheriff can be removed only by a court case the Attorney General brings.
Sheriffs' election, duties and removal stay set by state law, which lawmakers can change.
Our one-line summary. Missouri does not publish an official "what your vote means" statement; the ballot title above is the official description.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
The Legislature put this on the ballot. It changes the state constitution, so only another statewide vote can change it back. It passes with a simple majority of the votes cast on it.
- Missouri Sheriffs United and the Missouri Sheriffs Association worked with lawmakers, including Rep. Bennie Cook (R-Houston), for several years on the amendment. Nearly all Democratic lawmakers voted against it. source: kctv5.com
Why supporters want it
- Rep. Bennie Cook (R-Houston): "a local control issue; this is a back-the-blue piece, in my opinion." source: ky3.com
- Kevin Merritt, executive director of Missouri Sheriffs United, says lawmakers could now abolish the office and create a state police force; on concerns about power: "There's no power grab there, that's just a big misunderstanding." source: kctv5.com
Why opponents object
- Democratic Rep. Mark Boyko says it gives sheriffs too much power: "If Amendment 8 passes, the only way a sheriff can be removed is if a prosecutor goes to court and gets an order," which Boyko says could take months or years. source: kctv5.com
Who backs each side
- For: Missouri Sheriffs United and the Missouri Sheriffs Association. Against: most Democratic lawmakers voted no. No campaign committees or spending found for either side. source: kctv5.com
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Secretary of State's official ballot measure list .
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to support law enforcement by preserving the right of citizens to elect a county sheriff, prohibiting the removal of a county sheriff except by a writ of quo warranto, and recognizing the office of sheriff as part of the administration of justice? State and local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.
YES
NO
Copied from the Secretary of State's 2026 ballot measures page, and checked word for word against the question in the resolution the Legislature passed. The ballot also prints a short fiscal note summary after the question; see your sample ballot.
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
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Full text of the measure
Read it in the Secretary of State 2026 ballot measures page , or on the Legislature's page for CCS HCS SS SJR 87, 103rd General Assembly, Second Regular Session , which also shows the votes in each chamber.
Read more
- Secretary of State: 2026 ballot measures (official ballot titles and fair ballot language)
- KCTV5: Amendment 8
- KY3: Amendment 8
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.