Missouri Ballot Measure 6 Would Require 80% Majority to Alter Citizen-Approved Laws

Missouri residents will vote on Amendment 6 on Nov. 3. The proposal determines if state lawmakers need a supermajority to change or repeal laws created by citizens through the initiative petition process. If voters approve the measure, the legislative bar for altering these citizen-driven laws rises considerably.

Under the proposed rule, the General Assembly must secure 80% approval from both the House and Senate to place a change on the ballot. Voters would then cast a final decision on the modification. This replaces the current system where a simple majority in the legislature can alter or undo citizen initiatives without a specific re-approval step.

Matthew Harris, an associate professor of political science at Park University, linked the measure to recent legislative actions. He noted that lawmakers recently repealed a paid sick leave law that citizens had previously approved. Harris stated that this sequence created a statewide discussion regarding the relative power of citizens versus the legislature in passing laws.

A 'no' vote on Nov. 3 maintains the existing framework. Currently, state representatives and senators can modify or remove citizen-passed initiatives through the standard legislative process. No special voter re-approval is required for those changes under the current constitution.

Greg Vonnahme, an associate professor of political science at UMKC, observed that most recent initiatives involve amending the state constitution. He pointed out that constitutional changes already require a legislative proposal and subsequent voter approval. Vonnahme described the current process as difficult, noting that the legislature cannot amend the constitution on its own.

Vonnahme argued that Amendment 6 makes the process more difficult than before, though he acknowledged the existing hurdles are already substantial. He also highlighted a specific provision in the measure that allows courts to revise official ballot language through litigation. He said this potentially empowers the judiciary to make additional changes to the text.