By Dr. Kay Park, President, League of Women Voters of Missouri

In essence, HJR3 would silence the voices of voters so no future citizen-led ballot measure would
pass. As little as 5% of voters could defeat a ballot measure that is overwhelmingly popular to
the majority. This does not protect Missouri voters. This measure would give legislators full
power over rules and would take away the ability of the people to pass legislation that the
majority of the people want.

Missouri citizens have had the citizen-led initiative petition process in effect for over 100 years
to allow the people to have a voice in government when our representatives did not represent
the will of the people. The people have the power to engage other voters through the Initiative
petition process by gathering enough signatures to require a vote of the people to address our
concerns. Through this process, we passed Medicaid expansion, legalized marijuana, protected
reproductive freedom making abortion legal in Missouri, and required employers to provide
paid sick leave. Our legislators opposed all of these issues that the people of Missouri wanted.
In turn, they ended paid sick leave and are proposing a new amendment to reinstate the
abortion ban. This disrespects the people’s voice and choice. Now they are trying to eliminate
our votes by withdrawing our ability to pass a fair citizen initiative petition. This is totally
undemocratic, forcing the will of the legislators over the will of the people. Fair democracy
should reflect the will of the majority.

Plus, the requirement of passing in all eight districts does not apply to legislative ballot
measures, those initiated by legislators, not citizens. The legislative bill that will be on the
November 2026 ballot essentially banning abortion, HJR 73/ Amendment 3, could pass by 51%
as a legislative ballot measure, but would never meet the requirement of a majority in all eight
districts. This is a double standard, favoring legislators and dismissing voters. This is not fair to
the people of Missouri. Representatives are supposed to represent the values of those who
elected them, not their own agendas.

Please vote NO on HJR 3 when it appears on the Nov. 5, 2026 ballot, to protect the voice of the
people.