Amendment 2, if passed, will require all Missouri counties to elect their assessor and make state assessor  training mandatory for all county assessors. Jackson County (Kansas City) is the only county exempt from electing their assessor.

Currently, the Jackson County Assessor is appointed by the county executive.

A "yes" vote supports making the Jackson County Assessor an elected position by removing the constitutional exemption that currently allows the county to appoint the assessor.

A "no" vote opposes requiring the Jackson County Assessor to be elected, keeping the constitutional exemption that allows the county to appoint the assessor.

The proposal was driven by controversy surrounding property assessments in Jackson County after significant increases in assessed values led to widespread public frustration, pushback and recall elections. Jackson County voters already approved moving to an elected assessor by 88% in a local vote.  Now they need a state wide constitutional vote to make this a permanent change.

Missouri State Senator Joe Nicola (R-Grain Valley) and Missouri State Rep State Rep. Carolyn Caton (R-Blue Springs) were the legislative force behind HJR23 that is now Amendment 2 on your August ballot.  

Senator Nicola said, “Elected assessors are directly accountable to the taxpayers rather than to the county executives who appoint them.”

Rep. Caton underscored the importance of HJR 23: “This is such a victory for Jackson County homeowners. They deserve the same rights as every other Missourian to elect the official who determines their property values. By finally passing this legislation, we’ve taken a critical step towards restoring fairness and giving our community a direct voice in this process. I’m thrilled to see it move forward.”

House Speaker Jonathan Patterson, a Lee’s Summit Republican, told the Kansas City Star that the proposal would bar the Jackson County Legislature from deciding to make the position appointed in the future. 

Patterson said: “This is an important step forward in the fight against unfair taxes. Voters in Missouri will get the chance to give Jackson County the right to have its own elected assessor, just like every other county in the state does. It improves accountability, cuts property taxes, and ensures the kind of transparency taxpayers deserve.”

Vote yes on Amendment 2 to make all assessors in Missouri elected by the voters in their county.

The last day to register to vote for the August primary is July 8, 2026.