Benton County Enterprise Staff
Dear Editor,
Less than a week into the 2023 MO legislative session, Missouri Republicans have introduced a dozen bills to make it harder for Missouri voters to approve constitutional amendments which undermines our direct democracy. Missouri citizens can initiate constitutional changes through the petition process. These petitions are created by Missouri voters that will be placed on the ballot to be voted on.
Two resolutions — MO House Joint Resolution 2 and MO House Joint Resolution 28 — both would make it harder to get a citizen-led petition onto the ballot. In an even more extreme and unprecedented requirement – MO House Joint Resolution 6, MO House Joint Resolution 18, and MO House Joint Resolution 29 - would raise the bar by requiring 67% of voter signatures from “each” eight congressional districts. Currently, it is just below 50%. Don’t forget folks. The petition process allowed you to vote on the very popular amendment to legalize marijuana.
As a side note, the MO Democrats proposed changes to house rules: activities streamed live and archived for public viewing; allow MO citizens to voice their opinion remotely; ensure Missourians can submit their input before lobbyists or out-of-state folks give their 2 cents; ensure ALL bills get public hearings. Each one was shot down by the MO GOP.
The MO GOP keeps voting to concentrate power more into the hands of a few, and against transparency and accessibility for all Missourians.
Jacqueline Farr
Chair
Benton County Democrats
