Kehoe makes last-minute pitch for Amendment 5 while voting in Jefferson City

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Kehoe made a last-minute pitch to drum up Election Day support for his signature policy goal -- phasing out the state income tax -- as he talked to reporters after voting on Tuesday.

Kehoe spoke with a gaggle of reporters outside the Masonic Lodge, where the Republican governor cast his ballot on Tuesday.

Kehoe touted the benefits of Amendment 5, which would phase out income tax in Missouri. Opponents, including many Republicans, say the amendment gives too much leeway for the General Assembly to shape tax collection.

"We certainly, we hope it passes," Kehoe said of Amendment 5. "We think it's a great option for Missouri. And if it does [pass], we'll be getting our work right away with the stakeholders and various farm groups, etc., to find out, uh, what this might look like."

Kehoe also endorsed Amendment 4, which would make it harder to get citizen-led petitions approved by requiring approval from a majority of voters in each congressional district.

Kehoe is not in a race this August -- the governor's seat will come up for election in 2028.

Polls close at 7 p.m.