Missouri voters grant attorney general exclusive power to remove sheriffs
Amendment 8 passed with 51% of the unofficial vote, centralizing removal authority in all counties except the St. Louis region.
By Larissa Shah ·
Missouri voters approved Amendment 8, granting the state attorney general the sole authority to remove most county sheriffs from office. The measure cleared the ballot with 51 percent of the final but unofficial vote.
The amendment enshrines sheriff elections in the state constitution and mandates four-year terms for officials in all counties except St. Louis, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County. While most sheriffs are already elected across the state, the change shifts the power of removal away from local prosecutors, who can currently file court actions to oust sheriffs.
Supporters and state lawmakers argued the amendment preserves local control of sheriff offices. They contend the change prevents future state legislatures from replacing elected sheriffs with a state police force. Opponents countered that the shift makes it harder to remove problematic officials and relinquishes local oversight.
The vote arrives roughly one year after St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery was removed from office. The attorney general filed a quo warranto action to oust Montgomery, and a judge ruled he neglected his duties and forfeited his position.
Montgomery has remained in jail since October 2025 while awaiting a federal trial on charges including witness tampering. Former St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden Jr. has served as sheriff since Montgomery's removal.
