Missouri Primary Election 2026 Latest Live News: The people of Missouri will vote on August 4, 2026, to determine the direction of the state’s politics as the year progresses towards November. From contested races for the United States House seats to the state races and two closely-watched constitutional amendments, the primary will determine not just the politics of Missouri but also the politics of the country at large. Polls have opened early in Missouri as citizens choose party candidates while deciding the future of Missouri’s tax code and the initiative process.
Missouri Primary Election 2026: Election Date & Time
The Missouri Primary Election is being held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
- Election Date: August 4, 2026
- Polls Open: 6:00 a.m. (Central Time)
- Polls Close: 7:00 p.m. (Central Time)
Any voter standing in line by 7 p.m. is legally entitled to cast a ballot.
Missouri Primary Election 2026: Polling Hours
All polling stations in Missouri operate between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Central Time. Election officials in local jurisdictions have advised people to check their polling stations prior to arrival and also to carry a valid ID where necessary under Missouri election law.
What Is the Missouri Primary Election?
The Missouri primary is an election where the nominated candidates from each party get chosen to run during the November general election. Voters choose the nominees for the office of the United States, state and the municipalities while the Missouri primary is considered the first step toward getting ready for the November general election.
Missouri Primary Election 2026: What Are Voters Deciding in Missouri?
Voters will decide:
- Nominees from the U.S. House of Representatives for Missouri’s 8 Congressional districts
- Nominees for Missouri’s State Auditor position
- Nominees from Missouri State Senate and State House
- County Executive and County Commission Races
- Local judicial and administrative offices
- Constitutional Amendment 4
- Constitutional Amendment 5
- Local ballot issues, such as Proposition 1 in Columbia
Missouri Primary Election 2026: Key Candidates to Watch
- Missouri’s 1st Congressional District (Democratic Primary)
- Wesley Bell (Incumbent)
- Cori Bush
- Carl Harris Sr.
- Carl Henderson
- Alissa Murphy
- Missouri’s 5th Congressional District (Republican Primary)
- Rick Brattin
- Taylor Burks
- Micah Beebe
- Brett Hueffmeier
- Berton A. Knox
- Brad Patty
- Missouri’s 6th Congressional District (Republican Primary)
- Jim Ingram
- Cody Oshel
- Nathanael Schultz
- Chris Stigall
- Nathan Willett
- Missouri State Auditor
- Republican: Scott Fitzpatrick (Incumbent), Gerald Wistrand Jr.
- Democratic: Gregory Upchurch, Quentin Wilson
Missouri Primary Election 2026: Who’s Leading in Battle
While official results are pending, several candidates entered Election Day with strong advantages:
- The incumbent is Wesley Bell in the 1st District of Missouri.
- Scott Fitzpatrick is still the most recognized Republican running for State Auditor.
- The Republicans still have an edge in various congressional districts.
- Amendment 5 is being strongly supported by Governor Mike Kehoe and businesses.
Missouri Primary Election 2026: Who’s Trailing in Battle
- One more tough hurdle for Cori Bush is ahead following her defeat in the Democratic primary of 2024.
- The less known Republicans contesting from the 5th and 6th Congressional Districts are fighting uphill battles.
- Groups opposing the Amendment 5 have not stopped their efforts despite ample financial support to the Amendment.
Missouri Primary Election 2026: What Other Measures Will Appear on the Ballot?
Missourians will also vote on several major ballot initiatives:
- Amendment 4
- Changes the process for approving citizen-led constitutional amendments.
- Has attracted millions of dollars in campaign spending.
- Amendment 5
- Would gradually eliminate Missouri’s individual income tax.
- Allows lawmakers to modify sales and use taxes to replace lost revenue.
- Any future restoration of the income tax would require another constitutional amendment.
- Columbia Proposition 1
- Local tax, school district and municipal measures across multiple counties.
The overall expenditures for these two amendments have gone past $40 million, which makes them some of the most expensive ballot measures in Missouri’s history. Amendment 5 has cost $8.9 million worth of TV and radio advertisements alone while the Amendment 4 campaigns have spent almost $4 million.
Missouri Primary Election 2026: When Will Results Be Announced?
The unofficial vote counts will start trickling in just after 7 p.m. CT once polls across the state have closed. The county election authorities will send in the results from their precincts during the night while absentee votes will also be tallied according to Missouri law. Some of the competitive races may still not be determined until Tuesday night.
Primary Election in Missouri: Last Year Result
- Republicans continued to dominate in most statewide elections.
- Republicans control 6 of Missouri’s 8 congressional seats in the U.S. House.
- In 2024, Republican Wesley Bell beat Democrat Cori Bush in the hotly contested Missouri’s 1st Congressional District primary.
- In the Bell versus Bush contest, millions of dollars were spent from outside funding sources.
- Missouri was one of the most dependable Republican states in the country as Democratic challenge was strong only in urban districts.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available election information as polls opened. Results and developments may change as vote counting continues.
