Proposed changes to Missouri’s initiative petition process would create a hard threshold for passage

Missouri lawmakers are weighing major changes to the state’s citizen-led initiative petition process during a special legislative session. The proposal would shift requirements from a simple statewide majority to approval in each Congressional district, making it harder for measures like abortion rights, paid sick leave, and sports betting—which passed in 2024—to succeed. Supporters, including Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and Gov. Mike Kehoe, argue reforms are needed to prevent foreign influence, increase transparency through public hearings, and ensure stricter thresholds for amending the state constitution. They contend Missouri’s current rules are among the loosest in the region.

Opponents, including grassroots organizers Katherine Floyd and Benjamin Singer, warn the changes would gut direct democracy and allow a small minority to block initiatives with broad statewide support. They note that citizen groups already face high barriers, such as collecting hundreds of thousands of signatures from multiple districts, while legislators can place measures on the ballot far more easily. Advocates argue the initiative process is a vital check on lawmakers who often ignore or overturn voter-approved measures. If passed by the legislature, the proposal would still require voter approval statewide in 2025 before taking effect.

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