Two high‑profile battles over Missouri’s November ballot have moved from the trial court to the Missouri Supreme Court. Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green sided with Secretary of State Denny Hoskins in both cases, rejecting a referendum on the state’s newly drawn congressional map and rejecting a proposed constitutional amendment that would restrict lawmakers’ ability to alter voter‑approved initiatives.
Redistricting referendum blocked
Judge Green ruled on August 19 that the Missouri Constitution’s referendum provisions do not extend to congressional redistricting. He wrote that the language “at most merely raises, but does not answer, the question whether the referendum power extends to congressional redistricting,” a power that the Constitution and the U.S. Constitution specifically assign to the General Assembly.
The decision leaves the congressional map approved by the Republican‑controlled legislature in place for the November election. The map, drawn in 2025, was designed to give Republicans an advantage in the 5th District. The petition drive, organized by the group People Not Politicians, submitted 305,000 signatures in December and argued that the map should be subject to a popular vote. After months of litigation, the judge concluded that the referendum sought an unconstitutional goal.
Amendment limiting legislative changes to initiatives denied
In a separate ruling, Judge Green also denied ballot placement for Amendment 6, a proposal that would have limited the legislature’s power to modify or repeal measures passed by citizen initiative. The judge found the amendment violated Missouri’s single‑subject rule and would “impermissibly constrict” legislative freedom to enact new laws reflecting evolving public views.
Respect MO Voters, the political action committee behind the amendment, turned in 335,000 signatures, meeting the threshold for ballot qualification. Secretary of State Hoskins rejected the measure, and the judge upheld that decision, noting the proposal combined multiple subjects and placed sweeping restrictions on future legislative action.
Appeals and next steps
Both decisions are being appealed. Respect MO Voters has taken the redistricting case to the Western District Court of Appeals, while the amendment challenge is also moving toward higher review. The Missouri Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeals, with a deadline of September 8 to decide whether either measure can appear on the November 3 ballot.
Former state Senator Bob Johnson, a Lee’s Summit Republican who supported the Respect MO Voters campaign, said the appeal reflects confidence that the courts will ultimately uphold the voices of more than 367,000 Missourians who signed the petition.
Implications for voters
If the Supreme Court allows the redistricting referendum to proceed, voters could have a direct say on whether the current congressional map stays in place. Likewise, if Amendment 6 reaches the ballot, Missourians would decide whether to limit the legislature’s ability to change voter‑approved initiatives.
Both issues touch core concerns for many Missourians: the integrity of the electoral process and the balance of power between elected officials and the electorate. The upcoming Supreme Court decisions will shape the options available to voters this fall.
Original reporting: Springfield Daily Citizen — read the source article.
