Latest news with #InitiativePetition
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
For the people, by the people: Missouri's Initiative Petition process and changes for August 2025
ST. JOSEPH. MO (News-Press NOW) — A sweeping new law set to take effect Thursday, Aug. 28, will reshape how Missourians bring issues directly to the ballot. Citizens use the Initiative Petition process to put new laws or constitutional amendments directly on the ballot by gathering signatures. It's been used in Missouri for over 100 years, allowing voters to bypass the legislature and place issues directly on the ballot. Recent examples of this include medicaid expansion, abortion access and medical marijuana legalization. Senate Bill 22, passed by Missouri lawmakers earlier this year and signed by Governor Mike Parson, introduces a series of changes to the state's Initiative Petition process, altering everything from who writes the official ballot language to when and how legal challenges can be filed. Supporters of the bill acknowledge the changes will provide greater consistency and fairness. However, critics warn it could undermine democracy by making it harder for grassroots organizations to bring issues before voters. Ballot summary responsibility One of the most significant shifts under Senate Bill 22 is who will write the summary language appearing on ballots, a key piece of information that can shape how voters perceive an issue. Previously, the Missouri Secretary of State was responsible for writing the short summary that appears on ballots to explain what a proposed measure does. State Representative Dean Van Schoiack (R-Savannah), who represents part of Buchanan County, said the change is about 'putting power back in the hands of the elected General Assembly, rather than relying solely on one state office to control how issues are worded for voters.' I think the changes made here allow for the Secretary of State to do his job correctly," VanSchoiack said. Under the new law, when the legislature itself refers an issue to the ballot, lawmakers will now write the summary language instead. The Secretary of State will continue to write summaries for citizen-led petitions. Disagreers of the bill, including David Jones, the vice president for the St. Joseph National Education Association (NEA), argue that it gives more power to officials and not the will of the people. "It's important that when we do any initiatives that are going to go to the vote for the voters, that's worded clearly," Jones said. Longer ballot summaries In the past, anyone who disagreed with the wording of a ballot summary had 10 days after certification to challenge it. Courts also had the authority to rewrite summaries if they found the wording biased. Now, legal challenges and court fights over how a ballot question is worded must be filed by the 22nd Tuesday before the general election. Around 154 days ahead of time. Any court battles over ballot wording must be fully resolved at least 70 days before the election. Additionally, courts must wait for the Secretary of State to attempt up to three rewrites before stepping in. "It doesn't change what's in the petition or the resolution or whatever," VanSchoiack said. "It just gives a chance for the ballot language to change." But critics, including several voter advocacy groups, express that these new hurdles will make it harder for ordinary citizens to hold the government accountable, especially if ballot summaries are drafted in a way that favors one side. "It would be harder for organizations to challenge ballot initiatives that are worded improperly, Jones said. Tune in to News-Press NOW at 5 p.m. on Thursday to watch this Special Report. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oklahomans speak out, write letters against bill restricting statewide ballot initiatives
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – For three straight days, peaceful demonstrators have stood outside the Oklahoma State Capitol holding signs against Senate Bill 1027. 'It makes it virtually impossible for a ballot initiative to work,' said Dan Epstein, a peaceful protestor. The group was forced to stand behind a locked door after camping out near a set of doors on the Capitol grounds Monday. 'We were well within our First Amendment rights,' said Christy Taylor, a peaceful protestor. 'We had a group of troopers that came out requesting that we leave. We refused to. The Capitol Police came out and actually told us that we had permission to be out there.' SB 1027 would change the state's initiative petition process by restricting the number of Oklahomans who can sign a petition to put an issue on a statewide ballot. It has already been successful in expanding Medicaid and allowing medical marijuana in the state. The bill must get approval one last time on the Senate floor before it heads to Governor Kevin Stitt's desk. It was expected to be heard on the floor Tuesday but was pulled from the agenda at the last minute. It was not heard on the floor on Wednesday. Speaker of the House Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) said most of the signatures to get recent measures on statewide ballots have come from Oklahoma and Tulsa counties, which was why he felt the legislation was necessary. 'Current law is making it where rural residents are disenfranchised from the process of Initiative Petition gathering process,' said Hilbert. Restrictions to Initiative Petition process passes another hurdle Those opposed to the measure said it did the opposite. 'This takes power away from every voter in every county,' said Amber England, Initiative Petition advocate. According to the bill, the number of signatures needed per county is based off election results from the last statewide general election for Governor. Under the current law, every voter in the state can sign a petition to put a question on a ballot. If the bill passes it would limit that number. Harmon and Cimarron counties are in rural Oklahoma. Cimarron County currently has 1,414 registered voters. Under the new bill, only 84 of those voters could sign a petition. There are 1,442 registered voters in Harmon County but the signatures of only 75 voters would be allowed. 'So 94% of the voters in Harmon County will actually be disenfranchised. So it is a myth to say that this is helping rural Oklahoma,' said England. Senate Democratic leaders said more than 1,800 Oklahomans in all 77 counties have written petition letters against the move. They said the will have supporters join them to hand deliver the letters to the Governor who could use his veto powers. 'We're going to have them all printed and ready to go, and we're going to deliver them with anyone who can show up with us,' said Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City. If you would like to learn more about the petition letters for the Governor, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
