Procedures for qualifying an initiative in Missouri
From Ballotpedia
In Missouri, residents may propose new state statutes and new constitutional amendments through the initiative process. They may also initiate a referendum on an already proposed law.
For more detailed information on the laws surrounding the initiative process in Missouri, please see: Laws governing the initiative process in Missouri.
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Basic steps for proposing an initiative
After forming a committee, proponents must file the full text of their initiative with the Missouri Secretary of State (SOS), along with a sample petition form. Initiative language can be submitted at any time during the year.
The Secretary of State reviews the petition and also writes a ballot title and summary based on the full text. The SOS will take a suggested title and summary from proponents – but are not obligated to use it.
Once the SOS writes the title and summary, it is forwarded to the Missouri Attorney General for final approval. After the initiative is filed, the Missouri State Auditor writes a fiscal impact statement. Once the ballot title, summary and fiscal impact statement are written, proponents can begin circulating.
The Secretary of State, Attorney General and State Auditor are required to have everything completed within 30 days of when an initiative is filed. There is no statutory procedure for appealing the ballot title, ballot summary or fiscal impact statement. Proponents can, however, sue through normal legal channels.
Note: Missouri has a single-subject rule.
Signatures requirements
The signature requirement total is based on the votes cast for governor in last gubernatorial election.
The number of votes cast in 2006 were 2,739,907. The 2008 requirement is based on this number.
For a statute, proponents must collect signatures equal to 5% of votes cast for governor and 8% cast for constitutional amendments. Both require signatures to equal 5% from six (out of nine) congressional districts.
The proponents of the ballot measure are free to select the congressional districts they will focus on for the purposes of meeting the geographic distribution requirement.
See also: Missouri signature requirements for more detailed information.
Circulation period
18 months.
Deadline for submitting signatures
Signatures must be turned in by May 4, 2008. (See Petition drive deadlines in 2008.)
The Missouri Secretary of State then verifies the signatures by random sampling to make sure signatures are authentic and belong to registered voters.
The legislature can both repeal and amend initiative statutes.
