Respect Missouri Voters

An informational, nonpartisan explanation

This page describes the proposed Respect Missouri Voters constitutional amendment. It does not support or oppose the proposal and does not recommend how anyone should vote.

Current status

Supporters submitted petition signatures to the Missouri Secretary of State on May 3, 2026. As of July 17, 2026, the proposal is awaiting the official review and certification needed to appear on the November 3 ballot. If it is certified, voters will see the official ballot title approved through Missouri’s legal process.

What the official ballot summary says the proposal would do

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

  • expand the initiative and referendum petition process by making it a fundamental right;

  • allow courts to revise ballot summaries through lawsuits;

  • prohibit the legislature from weakening initiative or referendum powers;

  • prohibit the legislature from changing or repealing laws enacted through the initiative process, or passing laws similar to those rejected by referendum, without approval from at least 80% of both chambers; and

  • preserve existing majority vote and signature requirements for initiative and referendum petitions?

State and local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.

In plain language

Ballot summaries: The proposal would expressly permit court review and revision of official summaries used to describe petitions to voters to make sure they are unbiased and fair.

Legislative changes: A law adopted by initiative could still be changed or repealed by the legislature, but only with approval from at least 80 percent of each chamber then another vote of the people.

Rejected legislation: If voters reject legislation through a referendum, a substantially similar law would require the same 80 percent threshold in each chamber.

Existing thresholds: The proposal would preserve the existing petition-signature thresholds and the existing statewide majority rule vote.

What should voters check?

  • Whether the proposal has been certified for the ballot.

  • The final official ballot title and full constitutional text.

  • Any court decisions that change the title, text, or ballot status.

  • Current fiscal information and election guidance from official sources.