Missouri

2010

Signature Deadline in 2010: May 2, 2010
Number of Signatures Needed to Qualify: Approx. 100,000 (statutory initiative); Approx. 150,000 (constitutional amendment)
Gubernatorial Election in 2010: n/a
US Senate Election in 2010: Open Seat

 

In Missouri, nine groups bringing twenty-one ballot initiatives have made it to petition-approval stage. Now, initiative organizers need to collect enough signatures to actually get their issue on the 2010 ballot.

Four of the initiatives seek to repeal the 2006 voter-approved access to stem-cell therapies and research. The measure could reopen the door for state lawmakers to prohibit stem-cell research. An effort is also under way to place the dangerous “personhood” initiative on the ballot. This so-called “personhood initiative” is part of a national right wing effort to end a woman's right to choose, ban several of the most medically safe forms of birth control, restrict common fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization, and put an end to stem cell research. In 2008, a “personhood” initiative was soundly defeated in Colorado.

Another proposal asks voters to consider outlawing equal opportunity programs. In 2008, Ward Connerly, a multi-millionaire lobbyist from California lost in four of the five states in which he attempted to re-write state constitutions and pass his divisive initiatives to ban equal opportunity programs. His campaign was plagued by charges of fraud and deception in every state and as a result, he failed to qualify for the ballot in Arizona, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Connerly's initiative was defeated in Colorado and passed in one state--Nebraska. 

Connerly faced charges of using deceptive tactics and desperately recruited people from out-of-state to help him gather signatures in Missouri, including a racist group from California. It was also reported that one of Connerly's paid signature gathers in Missouri was picked up by police because he was wanted in three states for voter fraud related charges.  At the end of the day, the so-called "Civil Rights Initiative" failed to gain enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot in Missouri.

Another ballot initiative would give voters a choice on whether to prohibit state health carriers from imposing certain fees and limitations on coverage.

Three ballot initiatives propose questions to ban the creation of new taxes and sales taxes on all real estate sales and transfers. A takings initiative is also seeking to make the 2010 ballot. The measure would undermine a communities’ ability to regulate land use to protect environmental and economic values.

Also circulating is the so-called Save Our Secret Ballot measure (SOS). In an attempt to strengthen corporate influence and enable corporate intimidation, the so-called Save Our Secret Ballot campaign (SOS Ballot) is a deceptive, misleading and frivolous multi-state ballot initiative and referenda campaign based in Las Vegas. To combat the efforts of SOS Ballot, a coalition of Missouri workers and citizens formed The Committee on Free and Fair Employee Elections and created FreeandFairMo.org to educate voters on the out-of state interests behind the ballot initiative.

Leading the signature gathering efforts in Missouri is SOS Ballot National Coordinator Tim Mooney, a former partner with Arno Consulting, a firm that has a history of deceptive and fraudulent practices and tactics.

Two proposed ballot initiatives to change the way judges are chosen for the Missouri Supreme Court and appeals courts was filed with the Secretary of State's office. If the ballot question makes it onto the 2010 ballot and is approved by voters, the nonpartisan court system would be eliminated, and the governor would choose nominees for the state's High Court and appeals courts.

Finally, a ballot initiative to allow early voting in Missouri is also circulating. Current law requires a “valid excuse” to vote absentee, and the proposed measure would remove this restriction and allow voters to cast ballots, either in person or by mail, before Election Day.

Each group has until May to collect petition signatures. For a constitutional amendment question to appear on the ballot, the groups must collect enough signatures in six of Missouri's eight congressional districts. That can be anywhere from 22,000 to 30,000 signatures per district, totaling approximately 100,000 signatures. That number is 8% of the gubernatorial votes cast in each district in last year's election.

2008

For more 2008 election information, click here.

 

For additional information please check with the Missouri Secretary of State: http://www.sos.mo.gov/