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NewsThe Governor signed SB 22, the “Let Politicians Lie Act,” on April 24. This dangerous and unworkable law upends the checks and balances that allow the judicial branch to remedy misleading ballot language.
This new law takes effect in August. It:
• Lets partisan politicians rewrite ballot summary language up to three times, even after courts rule them unlawful and misleading.
• Expands the attorney general’s ability to block citizen-led measures before they reach voters.
• Allows partisan politicians to write summaries designed to get their preferred outcome on ballot measures.
"SB22 is bad policy. It leaves ballot language solely in the hands of the legislature or Secretary of State which can over-politicize the process,” says LWVMO President Marilyn McLeod. “It would take away the oversight power of the courts to fix misleading ballot language and would create unnecessary or even impossible delays in getting an issue on the ballot. The voters should have accurate, and not misleading, information in order to cast their votes.” She testified against SB 22 in a House hearing.
Click here to read why McLeod says SJR 47 would end majority rule on citizen initiatives. This ballot measure would allow a small minority of voters—representing just a handful of legislative districts — to overrule the will of a statewide majority on every future ballot measure.
LWVMO is also opposed to HB575/551 which the House recently passed that would change the rules for citizen initiatives, restricting the format and who could circulate petitions.
The League believes that democratic government depends upon informed and active participation at all levels of government. The League further believes that governmental bodies must protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings, and making public records accessible. (LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024-2026, p 59)
League to which this content belongs:
Missouri
