Jackson County, Missouri, Question 1, Sales Tax for Kansas City Chiefs and Royals Stadiums Measure (April 2024)

Jackson County Question 1
Election date April 2, 2024
Topic County tax
Status Defeated
Type Referral

Jackson County Question 1 was on the ballot as a referral in Jackson County on April 2, 2024. It was defeated.

A "yes" vote supported renewing the 0.375% sales tax to provide funding for park improvements to Arrowhead Stadium as well as a new baseball stadium, and refinancing debt obligations previously incurred to finance or refinance improvements to the Harry S Truman Sports Complex.

A "no" vote opposed renewing the 0.375% sales tax to provide funding for park improvements to Arrowhead Stadium as well as a new baseball stadium, and refinancing debt obligations previously incurred to finance or refinance improvements to the Harry S Truman Sports Complex.

Election results

Jackson County Question 1
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		34,243	41.84%
No		47,593	58.16%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Overview

This measure would have renewed the 0.375% sales tax which was approved by voters in 2006, which was set to expire in 2031. This new tax would have provided funding for park improvements to Arrowhead Stadium, as well as fund the construction for a new Major League Baseball stadium in Jackson County.

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Question 1 was as follows:

“

Shall the County of Jackson repeal its countywide capital improvements sales tax of three-eighths of one percent (3/8%) authorized by Section 67.700 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri and impose as a parks sales tax of three-eighths of one percent (3/8%) authorized by Section 644.032 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri for a period of 40 years, to provide funding for park improvements, consisting of (1) site preparation and clearance, developing, constructing, furnishing, improving, equipping, repairing, maintaining, and operating both Arrowhead Stadium and its surrounds, and a new baseball stadium and its surrounds, to retain the Kansas City Chiefs in Jackson County, Missouri and the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri pursuant to long term leases; and (2) refinancing debt obligations previously incurred to finance or refinance improvements to the Harry S Truman Sports Complex?

”

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

Support

Supporters

• Kansas City Chiefs
• Kansas City Royals
• Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas (D)
• Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council

Arguments

• Ralph Oropeza, Business Manager of the Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council, said, "We expect a full renewal of the existing 3/8th cent sales tax with funding going to keep both professional teams paired with a strong community benefits agreement that ensures that not only will both facilities be union-built and union- maintained, but that any jobs that come out of running these new developments also be union jobs with dignity. We want the best deal possible for workers and taxpayers that retains both teams."
• Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas (D) said, "Retaining the Chiefs and the Royals and the events hosted at the teams' facilities like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift and global sporting events like the MLB All-Star Game and the World Cup is a priority for Kansas City - at a fair value to taxpayers."

Opposition

Opponents

• Jackson County Executive Frank White

Arguments

• Jackson County Executive Frank White said, "This proposed sales tax would generate over $2 billion from our residents, yet there is no clear understanding or assurance regarding the teams’ commitments and contributions to the county."

Background

2006 ballot measure

On April 4, 2006, Jackson County voters approved a measure that established a retail sales tax of 3/8% for the purpose of improving and modernizing the Harry S Truman Sports Complex. The Harry S Truman Sports Complex held the Arrowhead and Kauffman Stadiums. The tax was put in place for 25 years, and was set to expire in 2031.

Path to the ballot

On January 8, 2024, the Jackson County Legislature voted 8-1 to place the measure on the ballot. On January 18, Jackson County Executive Frank White vetoed an ordinance. On January 22, the Jackson County Legislature override White's veto with a vote of 7-2.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Missouri

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Missouri.

How to vote in Missouri

Poll times

In Missouri, all polling places are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in Missouri, one must be 18 years old, a United States citizen, and Missouri resident. An applicant may print an application, pick one up from a county clerk's office, or request that an application be mailed. The completed application must be returned by mail. All returned applications must be postmarked at least 27 days prior to Election Day in order to be processed. An applicant may also register to vote online.

Automatic registration

Missouri does not practice automatic voter registration.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Missouri has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

Missouri does not allow same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

To register to vote in Missouri, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify the length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible. Voters may file change-of-address forms after the registration deadline, up to and including Election Day, provided that they can present photo identification upon doing so.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Missouri does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The Missouri Secretary of State's office allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Missouri requires voters to present photo identification while voting.

The following were accepted forms of identification as of April 2023. Click here for the Missouri Secretary of State's page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

Voters can present the following forms of information:

• A nonexpired Missouri driver or non-driver license;
• A nonexpired military ID, including a veteran’s ID card;
• A nonexpired United States passport; or
• Another photo ID issued by the United States or the state of Missouri which is either not expired or expired after the date of the most recent general election.

If a voter does not have an ID, he or she can obtain one for free by filling out this form.

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2024
• County tax on the ballot

Missouri

• Missouri 2024 local measures
• Local ballot measures, Missouri
• Jackson County, Missouri

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas