-
Missouri House votes to make it harder to amend constitution, with controversial language reinstatedCurrently, a simple majority of votes is needed to pass a proposed constitutional amendment once it makes it onto the ballot. The proposed resolution would increase that threshold to both a simple majority of votes and the majority of Missouri’s eight congressional districts — but the bill also includes unrelated "ballot candy."
-
The two-page proposal states that beginning in the 2026 federal elections, a candidate running to represent a congressional district in Missouri may do so only if they live in that district. But it may violate the U.S. Constitution.
-
The Republican resolution would ask voters whether it should be harder to amend Missouri’s constitution through the initiative petition process. It comes as Missouri groups collect signatures for a ballot initiative protecting abortion rights.
-
Ballot initiatives are one way for voters to assert their power over the political whims of Missouri's state legislature or courts. They are often viewed as more stable and harder to undo.
-
Backers of the abortion legalization initiative need roughly 171,000 signatures by early May to make it onto the Missouri ballot. But even with a large amount of cash and enthusiasm, the campaign has a big barrier: Republicans in the Missouri General Assembly could make ballot measures much more difficult to pass.
-
Factional warfare marks passage of Republican priority as Freedom Caucus members denounce leadership for stripping out provisions labeled ‘ballot candy.’
-
Members of the Missouri Freedom Caucus have said passing a resolution that would make it harder to amend the state’s constitution is their top priority. Senate Democrats spent Monday and Tuesday filibustering the resolution.
-
A small band of far-right conservative state senators in Missouri has drawn the ire of even their fellow Republicans. Their goal is to make it even harder to change the state constitution for issues like protecting abortion rights. And they might succeed.
-
Senate members of the far-right Missouri Freedom Caucus had vowed to block the governor's appointments until the legislature approved a resolution making it harder for voters to amend the state constitution.
-
Last week saw significant developments in two deeply divisive areas of Missouri law. What will lawmakers do with legislation limiting transgender rights and health care this year, and will voters enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution?
-
Members of the Missouri Freedom Caucus blocked action on the governor's appointments, calling for action on legislation that would make it harder for residents to amend Missouri’s constitution. Any ballot issue reform would have to be approved by voters.
-
Before Missouri voters have the chance to enshrine the right to an abortion, Republican lawmakers might pass legislation aimed at making it harder to amend the state constitution. Another bill would close off public access to legislative records.