By Respect MO Voters
ST. LOUIS — Voters in all 115 Missouri counties have signed the Respect Missouri Voters amendment since the campaign launched September 10. Volunteers have collected 100,000 of the 300,000 signature goal.
Respect MO Voters is a volunteer-led campaign to pass a ballot initiative for a state constitutional amendment that will BAN politicians from:
Overturning initiatives that voters have already passed.
Attacking citizens’ ability to use the initiative process.
Deceiving voters with confusing ballot language.
This month the campaign celebrated the 117th birthday of having this freedom for citizens in the Missouri Constitution.
However, Missouri is one of only 11 states with no law prohibiting the legislature from overturning the will of the people. Politicians have overturned citizen-led initiatives several times, including one earlier this year that 58 percent of voters had approved. Legislators have also admitted publicly to using “ballot candy” to trick voters into approving measures.
Respect Missouri Voters has until spring to reach their goal of 300,000 signatures.
“I was a little anxious at first since I’ve never done anything like this,” said volunteer Christopher Fenter. “But throughout the process of collecting hundreds of signatures, I’ve met so many neighbors and people in my area who are looking for a way to speak up for our voting power. It has actually lifted my hope a bit in my fellow Missourians.”
Missouri volunteers are continuing to collect signatures at large gatherings of voters across the state.
“Most people I have asked to sign this petition are willing to participate,” said volunteer Vicki Russo. “Missourians like the power of the ballot initiatives and want to preserve them. Voters want their vote to matter.”
Lydia Snowden, a regional leader for Respect Missouri Voters, is excited by the reaction of voters. “The response around this petition has been astounding. As a county lead, I hear countless stories of Missourians who are finding hope again through this petition. Missourians have been disenfranchised for too long, and they are primed and ready for their voices to be finally respected. I am proud to be a part of this cross-partisan campaign and to fight for the voices of my fellow Missourians. One hundred thousand is just the start.”
Registered voters can sign petitions at a drive thru signing event and food drive at Rosemann Dental, 299 Teresa St. in Cuba on Nov. 22 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Volunteers will also have petitions available at the Kimmswick Christmas Parade on Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the Kimmswick City Hall, 6041 Third St.
Former U.S. Senator John Danforth (R-MO) and former House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) are among the bi-partisan leaders who have endorsed the proposed amendment, alongside groups such as the MO National Organization for Women and the Missouri NAACP.
The Respect MO Voters Coalition, a cross-partisan, volunteer-driven organization, is committed to a government of, by, and for the people, including respecting the will of Missouri voters.
About Respect Missouri Voters Coalition
The Respect MO Voters Coalition is a statewide, cross-partisan, volunteer-driven movement to protect and use Missouri’s citizen initiative process. The coalition works to ensure that citizen initiatives are respected, and to build a more ethical, effective government that serves everyday Missourian