Citizens in Charge

While some in the Missouri legislature would like to see the initiative process restricted, a Senate committee gave approval today of a bill that would open up the state’s initiative process. The Senate Elections Committee voted 9-0 to send SB 569 to the full Senate for a vote.

SB 596 makes two changes to the state’s initiative system. The most important reform is making the intent of the signer supreme: signatures of voters who wanted their name to be counted would be honored. This prevents signatures from being rejected because a signature collector or government official made a mistake. This change ensures that every voter’s voice is heard during a petition drive.