Audrain County voters will be faced with a slightly different ballot than they saw in the Aug. 4 primary election when they head to the polls Tuesday. 

In August, the ballot was based on the congressional map passed in 2025. That map had Audrain County voters voting for candidates in the race for the U.S. Representative in District 3. The Nov. 3 ballot, however, will be based on the 2022 congressional map following a Missouri Supreme Court ruling in September. This means local voters will now be asked to vote for the U.S. Representative in District 6.

A referendum on the map will appear on the November ballot as Proposition A, which asks voters whether or not they approve House Bill 1. A “yes” vote will repeal the existing congressional plan and replace it with new congressional boundaries.

Contested Races

Two Mexico residents will face off in the race for State Representative for District 43. The Republican candidate, Brendan Webber, and his Democratic challenger, Rich Gold, ran unopposed in the Aug. 4 primaries. Both are seeking the seat currently held by Rep. Kent Haden, who is term-limited.

Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin’s term-limited seat in the 18th District is also up for grabs this November. Greg Sharpe, of Ewing, is running as a Republican against Democratic candidate Nick Miller, of Mexico. Sharpe, who currently serves as State Representative for District 4, beat Dusty Blue, of Mexico, and Ed Lewis, of Moberly, on the Republican ticket in August. Miller beat John Leykamp, of Centralia, in the August primary. 

Audrain County voters did not vote for a U.S. Representative in District 6 during the Aug. 4 primaries. U.S. Rep. Sam Graves will not be seeing reelection. His seat is sought by Republican candidate Chris Stigall, Democratic candidate Josh Smead and Libertarian candidate Andy Maidment.

Republican incumbent Scott Fitzpatrick is seeking reelection for state auditor. He is up against Quentin Wilson, Democrat, and Dustin Coffell, Libertarian.

County races

In the Aug. 4 Primary Election, Audrain County voters elected Heather Lierheimer as Audrain County Clerk and Lisa Smith as Audrain County Treasurer. Both are running unopposed in the General Election. 

A number of incumbents who also ran unopposed in the primaries, will be back on the Nov. 3 ballot. These include: Melissa Buckman Young, associate circuit judge; Alan Winders, presiding commissioner; Meagan Miller, circuit clerk; Teresa Allen, recorder of deeds; Jacob Shellabarger, prosecuting attorney and Amy LeCount, county collector.

Every candidate at the county level ran as a Republican. 

Statewide amendments

Voters will be faced with four constitutional amendments and one proposition on their Nov. 3 ballot.

Abortion policy and gender transition procedures for minors will appear on the ballot under Amendment 3. Passage of Amendment 3 would repeal the right to reproductive freedom that passed in November 2024; allow abortions in the case of rape and incest under 12-weeks gestation, emergencies and fetal anomalies; and prohibit gender transition proceedures for minors.

Amendment 6 asks voters whether or not Missouri lawmakers’ power to amend or repeal a state law enacted through a citizen-led initiative should be limited. Passage of Amendment 6 would require 80% of both the House and Senate to agree to send proposed changes back to voters. It would also make the initiative and referendum process a "fundamental right.”

The future elimination of state-imposed taxes is outlined in Amendment 7, which seeks to establish a permanent public endowment fund to support state government with the goal of eliminating state taxes once the fund has enough revenue to replace them. The measure is not tied to Amendment 5, which Missouri voters rejected in August.

The responsibilities of county Sheriff’s Offices could change under Amendment 8, which would make the elected office a constitutional requirement and assign it constitutional responsibilities. The amendment also makes the removal of Sheriffs elected to four-year terms more difficult.

Judicial ballot

One Missouri Supreme Court judge and three Missouri Eastern District Court of Appeals judges have terms that expire on Dec. 31. 

Voters will be asked if the following judges should remain in office:

• Judge Paul C. Wilson of the Missouri Supreme Court
• Judge Virginia W. Lay of the Eastern District Court of Appeals
• Judge Rebeca Navarro-McKelvey of the Eastern District Court of Appeals 
• Judge Angela Turner Quigless of the Eastern District Court of Appeals 

To hear from the local candidates in contested races, see The Mexico Ledger’s Election Guide on page A3.