Respect Missouri Voters Supporters Sue Secretary of State Over Unlawful Attempt to Block Ballot Initiative
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8/6/2026
communicationsdirector@respectvoters.org, (314) 712-7557
Respect Missouri Voters Supporters Sue Secretary of State Over Unlawful Attempt to Block Ballot Initiative
Jefferson City, Mo. — Respect Missouri Voters supporters today filed a lawsuit challenging an unprecedented action by Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, who declared the campaign's ballot initiative unconstitutional after previously approving it for signature circulation. Respect Missouri Voters maintains the initiative fully complies with all requirements of the Missouri Constitution, including the one-subject, one-article constitutional requirements.
The lawsuit asks the court to reverse Hoskins’ decision and to place the petition on the November ballot, so the people can vote on it.
"For 118 years, Missourians have relied on citizen initiatives to take issues directly to the people, independent of the legislature," said Benjamin Singer, co-founder of Respect Missouri Voters. "We are confident the courts will uphold the law, protect the integrity of Missouri's initiative process, and ensure Missourians retain their constitutional right to make their voices heard."
The case is Harris v. Hoskins and was filed in Cole County Court.
###
About Respect Missouri Voters
The Respect Missouri Voters Coalition is a statewide grassroots, cross-partisan movement driven by 2,000 volunteers. The coalition works to preserve the citizen initiative process and to ensure the will of the people is respected to build a more ethical, effective government that serves everyday Missourians. Learn more and get involved at www.respectMOvoters.org.
