JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri voters will decide on November 3 whether to place new constitutional protections for the elected office of county sheriff into the state constitution.

Amendment 8 would require counties to elect a sheriff to a four-year term, recognize the sheriff's role in the administration of justice and restrict removal of an elected sheriff to a quo warranto proceeding initiated by the attorney general.

A yes vote would add the requirements to Missouri's Constitution. A no vote would leave the Constitution unchanged, while existing state laws governing sheriff elections, duties and removal would remain in effect unless later changed by lawmakers.

The measure's fiscal summary estimates no state or local governmental costs or savings. Voters should read the official ballot language from the Missouri secretary of state for the precise legal text.