MAP BATTLE: Missouri Secretary of State Shuts Down Petition Pushes
The petitioners say Secretary of State Cole Jester rejected at least 83,211 signatures using the wrong standard and ask the court to grant a cure period.
- On Wednesday, five Arkansans filed a lawsuit in the Arkansas Supreme Court challenging Secretary of State Cole Jester's rejection of signatures for the Arkansas Ballot Measure Rights Amendment of 2026.
- Jester rejected the petition July 30, citing a title variance on signature pages; petitioners argue the error is 'de minimis' and that Jester's office previously used the same title.
- Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected petitions Tuesday, prompting Respect Missouri Voters to sue Thursday, arguing he cannot retroactively withdraw a ballot title certified nearly a year ago.
- Citing a 2024 Missouri Supreme Court ruling, the lawsuit argues a secretary of state cannot re-assess petition forms already approved, labeling such attempts 'a nullity and of no effect.'
- These challenges reflect broader efforts in Republican-led states to restrict citizen initiatives, as advocates increasingly use the ballot process to advance causes and protect access to the initiative process.
15 Articles
15 Articles
MAP BATTLE: Missouri Secretary of State shuts down petition pushes
Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins says two initiative petition pushes are unconstitutional. Local political science professor Dr. Matt Harris weighs in on what this means for the November election.
Initiative petition advocates hold rally in Jefferson City
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Supporters of Amendment 6, which would increase legal protections for Missouri's initiative petition process that allows citizens to change the constitution with a vote, rallied in Jefferson City on Friday. The rally comes after their petition was rejected by the secretary of state, prompting the group to sue. The post Initiative petition advocates hold rally in Jefferson City appeared first on ABC17NEWS.
Missouri Independent
Lawsuit seeks Missouri ballot spot for amendment limiting changes to voter-approved initiatives
In GOP-controlled states, the midterms are battlegrounds for ballot initiatives
There may be no more boring and arcane argument in American politics than the debate over process. But this year’s midterm elections feature a host of initiatives seeking to tweak the obscure rules by which those measures qualify for state ballots. The post In GOP-controlled states, the midterms are battlegrounds for ballot initiatives first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times.
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