JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri State Representative Jeremy Dean (D–Springfield) has filed a House Joint Resolution to place a constitutional amendment before Missouri voters aimed at restoring clear limits on corporate and special-interest influence in elections.
The proposal would amend Article I of the Missouri Constitution to clarify that artificial entities – including corporations and LLCs – do not possess inherent political powers and may not spend money to influence candidates or ballot initiatives, except where explicitly allowed by the Constitution.
“Democracy belongs to the people, not corporations,” Rep. Dean said. “This resolution gives Missourians the opportunity to decide whether our Constitution should put voters first and curb the outsized influence of corporate money in our political system.”
The resolution preserves protections for legitimate business activity and free press while making clear that political spending by artificial entities is not a constitutional right. Properly regulated political committees would continue to operate for election purposes.
If approved by the General Assembly, the measure would appear on the statewide ballot in November 2026 or at a special election called by the Governor.
Representative Jeremy Dean, a Democrat, represents parts of Greene County (District 132) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2024. For more information, please contact Rep. Dean’s office at 573-751-3795 or via email at Jeremy.Dean@House.Mo.Gov.