November 2026 Election Recap

Amendment 3 – Reproductive Health Care and Gender Transition Procedures

• Result: FAILED 

• Implications: The failure of Amendment 3 preserves Missouri's 2024 voter-approved constitutional protections for reproductive health care, including abortion access through fetal viability. The result also rejects proposed constitutional provisions restricting abortion to specified circumstances, establishing parental consent requirements and prohibiting gender transition procedures for minors. Existing state laws remain subject to the current constitutional framework and applicable court rulings. Notably, Missouri already prohibits gender transition surgeries for minors and restricts puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors under a 2023 law (SB 49), with the medication restrictions currently scheduled to expire in August 2027; Amendment 3 would have established additional protections for these restrictions in the Missouri Constitution.  

Amendment 6 – Initiative Petition and Referendum Process 

• Result: PASSED 

• Implications: The passage of Amendment 6 significantly restricts the Missouri General Assembly's ability to modify or repeal voter-approved laws, requiring support from at least 80% of both legislative chambers before proposed changes can be referred back to voters. For employers, this creates additional challenges in addressing unintended consequences or implementation issues arising from laws approved through the initiative petition process. The amendment also limits future legislative changes to Missouri's initiative petition requirements, including keeping the current simple majority threshold for passage. It remains unclear how this amendment will impact previously passed or defeated proposals dating back to 2010, and what legal challenges may look like moving forward.

• Chamber perspective: The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to oppose Amendment 6, citing concerns about employer uncertainty, restrictions on addressing unintended consequences of voter-approved laws and the impact on initiative petition reform efforts. While respecting the outcome, the Chamber will continue advocating for policies that provide employers with the certainty and flexibility needed to invest, hire and grow.

Amendment 7 – Show-Me Prosperity Investment Fund 

• Result: FAILED 

• Implications: The failure of Amendment 7 means Missouri will not establish the proposed permanent public endowment fund intended to eventually replace state-imposed taxes with investment earnings. Missouri's existing tax structure and legislative authority over state revenues remain unchanged. For businesses, the result means any future efforts to reduce or eliminate state taxes will continue through existing legislative and constitutional processes, with ongoing consideration of how tax policy affects competitiveness and funding for essential public services.
  

Amendment 8 – County Sheriffs 

• Result: PASSED

• Implications: The passage of Amendment 8 establishes constitutional requirements for the election of county sheriffs to four-year terms, outlines their responsibilities and limits the authority to initiate proceedings to remove a sheriff from office to the Missouri Attorney General. For Greene County, the amendment largely preserves existing practices, as the sheriff is already elected to a four-year term and carries out the responsibilities outlined in the proposal. While the amendment changes the legal process for removing a sheriff, it is not expected to affect day-to-day law enforcement operations or have a direct impact on businesses.

Proposition A – Congressional Redistricting 

• Result: FAILED 

• Business implications: The failure of Proposition A rejects the congressional district boundaries approved by the Missouri General Assembly during its 2025 special session, leaving the congressional map enacted in 2022 in place. The outcome preserves the existing district boundaries for future congressional elections unless subsequently changed through another lawful process. The 2022 boundaries have historically resulted in Democrats holding two of the state's eight U.S. House districts, with the 2025 proposed map expected to have resulted in this number decreasing to one seat based on the redrawing of the 5th Congressional District. (NOTE: The 2026 November midterm election using the 2022 map boundaries resulted in five Republicans and three Democrats elected to represent Missouri's eight U.S. House districts). 

The Chamber does not engage in any partisan race. We look forward to building relationships with newly elected officials, continuing productive partnerships with returning leaders and ensuring Springfield-area employers have a strong voice in decisions affecting the region's future.

Winners of each race are listed below.

Federal

• U.S. House of Representatives, Missouri's 7th Congressional District – Eric Burlison (R-incumbent)

• • Implications: Congressman Burlison currently serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, as well as subcommittee assignments covering highways and transit, railroads, water resources, economic growth and regulatory affairs, among other issues directly relevant to the region's business community. Committee assignments for the new Congress will be determined as it organizes in 2027.

State

This election brings a combination of new perspectives and experienced leadership to Southwest Missouri's legislative delegation. Newly elected lawmakers will offer opportunities to build relationships and share the business community's priorities, while returning legislators provide valuable continuity and institutional knowledge on issues important to the region's economic competitiveness.

Southwest Missouri is also positioned to hold significant leadership roles in the Missouri House. Following their reelections, Springfield's Alex Riley is expected to serve as Speaker of the House, while Bill Owen has been selected to chair the House Budget Committee. These positions would give the region an important voice in shaping legislative priorities, determining which proposals advance and making decisions about state investments.

As the 2027 legislative session approaches, additional committee leadership and membership assignments will become clearer, providing further insight into the region's representation on committees responsible for key business, workforce, transportation and economic development policies.

• Missouri State Auditor - Scott Fitzpatrick (R)
• Missouri Senate
  • District 20 (Barton, Dade, portions of Greene and Webster counties) – Lori Rook (R)
  • District 30 (approximately City of Springfield limits) – Betsy Fogle (D)
• Missouri House of Representatives
  • District 130 – Bishop Davidson (R-incumbent)
  • District 131 – Bill Owen (R-incumbent)
  • District 132 – Jeremy Dean (D-incumbent)
  • District 133 – Katelyn Zach (D)
  • District 134 – Alex Riley (R-incumbent)
  • District 135 – John Michael (Johnny) Chiles (D)
  • District 136 – Stephanie Hein (D-incumbent)
  • District 137 – Darin Chappell (R-incumbent)

Greene County

County officials play important roles in managing public resources, maintaining infrastructure, overseeing public safety and delivering essential government services. With seven of the eight countywide offices uncontested, this election provides continuity in Greene County leadership. For businesses, effective and fiscally responsible county government is important to maintaining a competitive environment for investment and economic development.

• Presiding Commissioner – Bob Dixon (R-incumbent)
• Circuit Clerk – Bryan Feemster (R-incumbent)
• County Clerk – Shane Schoeller (R-incumbent)
• Recorder of Deeds – Cheryl Dawson-Spaulding (R-incumbent)
• Prosecuting Attorney – Dan Patterson (R-incumbent)
• Collector of Revenue – Allen Icet (R-incumbent)
• County Auditor – Cindy Stein (R-incumbent)
• Sheriff – Jason Johnson (R-served as Interim Sheriff following Sheriff Arnott’s federal appointment)

SPRINGFIELD CITY CHARTER AMENDMENTS

Question 1 – Delegation of Administrative Authority

• Result: FAILED
• Implications: The failure of Question 1 maintains the City Charter's existing provisions governing the responsibilities of the city manager and department directors. Without the proposed clarification of delegation authority, certain administrative and personnel decisions may continue to require approval at higher levels of city leadership. The outcome preserves the current governing structure but does not provide the additional administrative flexibility sought by city officials.

Question 2 – City Personnel Rules

• Result: FAILED
• Implications: The failure of Question 2 preserves the existing three-step process for adopting city employee merit rules, including the Personnel Board's role in reviewing proposed changes. The outcome maintains the current level of procedural oversight but does not provide the streamlined administrative process proposed by city officials.

Question 3 – City Purchasing Procedures

• Result: FAILED
• Implications: The failure of Question 3 preserves the City Charter's existing purchasing requirements and organizational structure. While current procurement procedures and competitive bidding protections remain in place, city officials will not gain the additional flexibility to establish purchasing methods and thresholds through ordinances as proposed. For businesses seeking city contracts, the existing procurement framework will continue to govern purchasing decisions.

Question 4 – Gender-Neutral Charter Language

• Result: FAILED
• Implications: The failure of Question 4 leaves the City Charter's existing gender-specific language unchanged. The outcome does not alter city government operations, administrative authority or policies affecting local businesses.

Springfield voters approved retaining five judges:

• Missouri Supreme Court – Judge Paul C. Wilson
• Southern District Court of Appeals – Judge Matthew P. Hamner
• 31^st Judicial Circuit
  • Judge Nathan Taylor
  • Judge Philip M. Fuhrman
  • Judge Margaret Palmietto

Business implications: Judicial retention decisions affect continuity in Missouri's court system, which handles matters involving contracts, property, employment and business disputes.