Missouri voters on Nov. 3 will be asked to consider Amendment 6, a ballot measure that would change the initiative and referendum petition processes.
The measure requires a simple majority to pass.
According to the Missouri Secretary of State website, passage of the measure would: expand the initiative and referendum petition process by making it a fundamental right; allow courts to revise ballot summaries through lawsuits; prohibit the legislature from weakening initiative or referendum powers; prohibit the legislature from changing or repealing laws enacted through the initiative process, or passing laws similar to those rejected by referendum, without approval from at least 80 percent of both chambers; and preserve existing majority vote and signature requirements for initiative and referendum petitions.
If the measure does not pass, current constitutional provisions, which already give citizens the right to propose initiatives and referenda, would not change, the website states.
State and local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings, according to the website.
The RespectMoVoters group led a petition drive to put the measure on the ballot, according to the Ballotpedia website.
Proponents say Amendment 6, if passed, would make it more difficult for legislators to overturn or weaken laws enacted through the initiative process.
John C. Danforth, former U.S. senator representing Missouri, has come out for Amendment 6. He is quoted on the Respect Missouri Voters page on Facebook as saying, “Preserving the initiative petition process and respecting the will of the people are essential checks and balances when elected officials become too invested in maintaining the status quo. That’s why today I’m endorsing Amendment 6, which will make it substantially more difficult for legislators to overturn measures that the people voted into law, while stopping politicians from deceiving voters with confusing ballot language.”
Opponents say passage of Amendment 6 would circumvent the state’s constitutional republic form of government and the proposed amendment covers too many issues.
Denny Hoskins, the Missouri secretary of state, initially blocked placing Amendment 6 on the ballot, saying it violates the state constitution’s single-subject rule and that it contradicts the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee that every American be served by a representative-republican form of government.
Amendment 6 supporters filed a lawsuit to have the matter placed on the ballot.
After a circuit court ruling initially sided with Hoskins, the Missouri Supreme Court reversed the lower court and ruled against him, thus allowing Amendment 6 to be placed on the Nov. 3 ballot, according to the Ballotpedia website.
