Jackson County Question #1 — COMBAT anti-crime sales tax

What it does

Shall Jackson County continue its anti-crime sales tax, commonly known as COMBAT, at the rate of one-quarter of one cent for a period of ten years for the purpose of promoting and providing public safety within Jackson County, including the prevention and treatment of drug abuse and addiction and the prevention, investigation, prosecution, and detention of violent criminals and drug dealers? The proceeds of this tax shall be deposited in a special Jackson County Anti-Crime Sales Tax Trust Fund, separate from the general fund or any other county funds.

A YES vote means

Jackson County would continue its quarter-cent COMBAT anti-crime sales tax for ten years for public safety, including drug abuse prevention and treatment and fighting violent crime and drug dealing, with the money kept in a separate trust fund.

A NO vote means

Jackson County would not continue its quarter-cent COMBAT anti-crime sales tax.

What it would cost

1% sales tax for 10 years: $1 on a $100 taxable purchase. It would continue a tax already in place rather than add a new one.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

The Jackson County Legislature held a public hearing on Ordinance #6096 on June 22, 2026. The ordinance submits continuation of the countywide quarter-cent COMBAT anti-crime sales tax for ten years, according to the Legislature's activity calendar.

KCUR reported that the Legislature referred the measure 8–0, with one member excused. It reported that voters first approved COMBAT in 1989 (63%) and renewed it most recently in 2016 (73%), and that the tax raises about $25–30 million a year.

According to KCUR, just over 60% of the money funds courts and law enforcement, including the Drug Court and Drug Task Force, and about $10.3 million in 2025 went to grants for violence prevention and treatment programs. The station also noted that 2019 and 2020 audits found millions in COMBAT spending with little or no oversight.

Put on the ballot by Jackson County Legislature, 8–0 (Ordinance #6096).

From official source.

In the news

• Jackson County COMBAT sales tax vote: What to know · KCUR

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Jackson County Question #1 mean?

Jackson County would continue its quarter-cent COMBAT anti-crime sales tax for ten years for public safety, including drug abuse prevention and treatment and fighting violent crime and drug dealing, with the money kept in a separate trust fund.

What does a NO vote on Jackson County Question #1 mean?

Jackson County would not continue its quarter-cent COMBAT anti-crime sales tax.

How many votes does Jackson County Question #1 need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Jackson County Question #1?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.