Through June 9th, 68 initiative petitions (constitutional amendments) have been filed with the Secretary of State’s Office during the 2026 election cycle. 18 of those petitions were rejected after filing. Seven others were withdrawn. To date, there have been no referendum petitions (amending state law) filed.
The first step in the process is to file an initiative petition, followed by public comments sought, then approval for circulation and, if approved, obtaining enough signatures to put the issue on the ballot in 2026.
Topics of initiative petitions that have been approved to circulate for signatures include:
- Allow initiative petitions to be signed electronically with statements of support by eligible voters.
- Each citizen of the state who is eligible to vote would be able to assign one proxy to any member of the Missouri House or the Missouri Senate to cast votes on their behalf. Members of the General Assembly would cast a number of votes equal to the number of proxies they hold plus one vote for themselves, on all matters that are voted on in their respective chambers and in committees.
- Local voters would have the right and option to set tobacco taxes in counties and use the county tobacco tax proceeds solely for education, health and mental health, crime prevention, job creation, veterans’ services, or other local use specifically approved by voters.
- Prohibit the weakening of citizens’ direct lawmaking power by not allowing the legislature to make changes in initiative petition laws that would make it more difficult to propose or enact laws or amendments through the initiative process. Prohibit the legislature from changing any citizen-initiative law or constitutional amendment except if 80 percent of the House and Senate approve the change.
- Establish an independent citizens’ commission of 13 members, who are residents and registered voters of Missouri, to have exclusive authority to consider and adopt ballot summaries for all ballot measures.
- Change the definition of marriage from “A valid marriage in the state of Missouri shall exist only between a man and a woman” to “the right to marry is a fundamental right for any two consenting adults . . . All such marriages are valid and recognized in this state.”
- Prohibit minors under the age of 18 from possessing a firearm without the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
- Prohibit people from holding elected office if they have been found guilty of or pleaded guilty to weapons offenses or certain violent sexual crimes. Prohibit legislators on trial for such crimes from introducing related legislation. Prohibit legislators on trial for criminal or civil matters from introducing or voting on related bills. Prohibit campaign funds from foreign governments or campaigns.
- Define any location operated by a motor vehicle manufacturer that markets and processes or takes orders for new motor vehicles as a dealership subject to franchise laws with the intention to prevent manufacturers from circumventing dealership regulations.
- Remove an existing exemption that allows motor vehicle manufacturers to sell directly to consumers without using franchised dealers.
A few other initiative petitions were filed, public comments were accepted, and now are awaiting approval to circulate for signatures. Among those are:
- Securing Citizens’ Direct Lawmaking Power Amendment. The legislature shall be prohibited from weakening the citizens’ lawmaking power.
- Restoring Local Freedom Amendment, allowing cities of 10,000 or more population and counties to enact provisions of a minimum wage or living wage higher than but not less than any in state law or regulation, or provisions of minimum paid or unpaid days off or leave from work for sickness or illness, vacation, or personal necessity that exceed, but are not less generous than any in state law or regulation.
- Limits and restrictions on the amount of rent and fees to be charged for privately-owned single-family or multiple-unit residential rental property.
- Provisions of minimum paid or unpaid rest times for workers, meal periods during work shifts, or time off between work shifts that exceed, but are not less generous than any such rest time, meal period, or time off requirement in state law or regulation.
- Provisions of minimum notice of work schedules and notice of changes to work schedules that exceed but are not less strict than any such notice requirement in state law or regulation.
- Citizens shall be allowed to promptly challenge misleading ballot titles, demanding that courts immediately require them to be completely unbiased, clear, and accurate. Pre-existing signature and voting requirements shall be maintained, including that a simple majority of votes cast statewide on the measure shall be sufficient to enact any law or amendment proposed by initiative petition.
Economic Rights Amendment, which covers employees’ rights, earned paid sick time, employees’ hourly wages, commissions, and various other provisions. Public employees and agricultural employees are exempt in some portions of the amendment.