Missouri proposal would create nation’s toughest standard for citizen-led constitutional amendments
Summary
Missouri voters will decide on Amendment 4, a proposal that would make it much harder to pass citizen-led changes to the state constitution. The amendment requires approval in all eight of Missouri’s congressional districts instead of just a simple majority of voters statewide.Key Facts
- Missouri voters have recently approved amendments to legalize abortion rights, marijuana, sports betting, and expand Medicaid.
- Amendment 4 would require citizen initiatives to pass in every congressional district, not just by statewide majority.
- No other U.S. state has such a strict requirement for citizen-led constitutional changes.
- The proposal is supported by lawmakers who want more control over lawmaking and less direct citizen involvement.
- About one-third of U.S. states allow citizen initiatives to place constitutional amendments on the ballot.
- Most states require just a simple majority vote to approve citizen-led amendments.
- Colorado and Florida require higher approval percentages (55% and 60%) but do not require passing in every district.
- This proposal is seen as part of a national trend of officials seeking to limit citizen voting rights and ballot initiatives.
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