The Missouri House voted on April 25 to approve SJR 74 to eliminate the majority rule that has defined Missouri’s citizen initiative process for more than a century. It will now go back to the Senate for a final vote.
The House attached "ballot candy," language designed to hide the true impact of the measure and gain support from voters who don't know that several items are already required by law. For example, it bans foreign interference in initiative petitions, and limits voting on initiative petitions to U.S. citizens.
If SJR 74 is approved in both bodies, the Governor is expected to put this constitutional amendment on the Aug. 6 ballot. If it passes with a majority vote, it would take effect a month later. That means the Reproductive Freedom initiative would need to receive both a statewide majority AND approval in five of the eight congressional district to pass.
"SJR 74 is a total affront to the citizens of Missouri. This proposal violates the principle of majority rule and would make it almost impossible for a citizen initiative petition to pass," says Marilyn McLeod, President of the League of Women Voters of Missouri. :This would squelch the voice of the people and end majority rule."
The Missouri House added deceptive and unnecessary "ballot candy" language that McLeod says is designed to trick Missouri voters into approving it.
"We need to protect the direct democracy of the initiative petition process to determine our future in Missouri, not permanently change our constitution to give up our rights," McLeod says. "Simple majority rule is common sense and already the law of the land in Missouri. One person, one vote.”
This tool of our democracy goes back to 1907, 12 years before the League of Women Voters was founded. It’s been used by both political parties when the legislature hasn’t addressed things people want, including Medicaid Expansion and medical marijuana.
The initiative petition was used to pass the Hancock Amendment that set taxation and spending limits. As former governor John Ashcroft said in 1992, “It is through the initiative process that those who have no influence with elective representatives may take their cause directly to the people.”
The League believes initiative petitions make Missouri’s democracy work, giving voters a stronger voice in state government. So far this cycle, LWVMO has endorsed petitions sponsored by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom and the Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages.
Above, Joplin members Patricia O'Roark and Donna Harlan talk with Republican Rep. Jamie Gregg as part of the Jan. 30 Voting Rights Advocacy Day.
