Respect Voters Coalition Launches Campaign to Protect Ballot Measure Approval Process in Missouri
A bipartisan initiative known as the Respect Voters Coalition has emerged in Missouri, aiming to safeguard the state’s ballot measure approval process from potential legislative changes. The coalition asserts that interference by politicians undermines the voice of the people.
"This initiative is crucial because any attempt to allow politicians to manipulate the voting process is something we oppose vehemently," stated Benjamin Singer, CEO of Show Me Integrity. The group’s urgency stems from recent successes in the initiative petition process, which enabled voters to pass pivotal progressive policies, including the legalization of marijuana in 2022 and the repeal of Missouri’s total abortion ban.
Republican lawmakers have recently attempted to raise the percentage of approval required for constitutional amendments, shifting away from the current simple majority requirement. Eric Bronner, founder of Veterans for All Voters, pointed out a concerning trend: "No matter which party is in power, they tend to resist reforms that dilute their hold on power and undermine voter influence."
To counteract these legislative efforts, the coalition is hosting a series of town halls across Missouri, seeking public input on a proposed constitutional amendment that would protect the initiative petition process from political alteration. Former State Senator Bob Johnson, who spoke at a press conference to launch the campaign, echoed the sentiment, recalling the words of former Governor John Ashcroft: “The initiative petition process allows those with little influence to take their causes directly to the people.”
The Respect Voters Coalition’s initiative is a response to ongoing political maneuvers aimed at changing the voting landscape, ensuring that Missourians’ voices remain central in the democratic process.
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