Missourians vote on ballot issues, retention of state judges

The Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. --

Missouri voters didn't appear ready to authorize the first constitutional convention in nearly 60 years but were leaning toward supporting three of four proposed changes to the current state constitution, according to early returns from Tuesday's elections.

A proposal to authorize a constitutional convention was failing by 68 percent of the vote with 41 percent of precincts reporting statewide.

Constitutional Amendment 1, which would give St. Louis city voters the right to amend or revise the city's charter, was supported by 68 percent of those casting ballots with 42 percent of precincts reporting.

Constitutional Amendment 3, which would alter voter-approved term limits, had 52 percent of the vote with 42 percent of precincts reporting. The measure is designed so lawmakers elected to partial terms would not have that time included in their total legislative service.

Constitutional Amendment 4 would repeal a provision of state law that subjects municipal utilities to state regulation if they join together to build or buy an electric or natural gas plant. With 42 percent of precincts reporting, the measure had received 56 percent of the vote. Constitutional Amendment 2, which would grant firefighters and emergency workers collective bargaining rights, was failing by 54 percent of the vote with 42 percent of precincts reporting.

Judical voting

Voters stuck to "The Missouri Plan" when it came to retaining judicial appointees Tuesday.

Five dozen judges from the Missouri Supreme Court, the three-district Court of Appeals and five judicial circuits in and around St. Louis and Kansas City were listed on ballots Tuesday. Voters were asked to decide "yes" or "no" on retaining each incumbent.

By margins that ran from 62 percent to 75 percent, the voters Tuesday said "yes," according to early returns on Tuesday.