Amendment 6: Citizen petitions and voter-passed lawsProtect citizen petitions; limit lawmakers changing voter-passed laws
Read the full text of the measure: Secretary of State 2026 ballot measures page
In plain words
An initiative is a law or amendment citizens put on the ballot by gathering signatures; a referendum lets voters approve or reject a law lawmakers passed. Today the Legislature can change or repeal a voter-passed law (not an amendment) with a regular vote, as it did in 2025 with the paid sick leave law voters passed in 2024. This amendment would require 80% of both chambers plus a statewide vote for such changes. It also bars laws that make the petition process harder, and keeps today's signature and majority-vote rules. (kcur.org )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| Changing a law voters passed by petition | Legislature can do it with a regular majority vote | Needs 80% of the House and Senate, then voter approval |
| Laws that make petitions harder (more signatures, shorter time, etc.) | Legislature can pass them | Not allowed by regular law; only by a constitutional amendment voters approve |
| Signatures needed | 5% of voters in 2/3 of congressional districts (laws); 8% (amendments) | Same |
| Vote needed to pass a measure | Simple majority | Same |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (news.ballotpedia.org )
Biggest change
- Makes initiative and referendum rights "fundamental rights," so laws affecting them face strict scrutiny (they must be narrowly tailored to a compelling government interest). source: news.ballotpedia.org
- Bars lawmakers from raising signature thresholds, shortening signature periods, restricting subjects, limiting court review of ballot wording, or requiring more than a simple majority, except by a constitutional amendment voters approve. source: news.ballotpedia.org
- Lets courts rewrite ballot summaries through lawsuits. source: sos.mo.gov (Missouri Secretary of State)
- A change to a voter-passed initiative would need 80% of each chamber and then voter approval. source: news.ballotpedia.org
Who it affects most: Groups that use citizen petitions, and the Legislature's power over laws voters pass.
Cost to the state: State and local governments estimate no costs or savings. It does not raise or lower taxes.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
Voter-passed laws could be changed only with 80% of both chambers plus a statewide vote, and lawmakers could not make the petition process harder by regular law.
Lawmakers keep the power to change or repeal voter-passed laws with a regular majority and to set petition rules by law.
Our one-line summary. Missouri does not publish an official "what your vote means" statement; the ballot title above is the official description.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
Voters put this on the ballot by signing a petition. It changes the state constitution, so only another statewide vote can change it back. It passes with a simple majority of the votes cast on it.
- In November 2024 voters passed a paid sick leave law and the abortion-rights amendment. In 2025 lawmakers repealed the sick leave rule and sent a repeal of the abortion amendment (Amendment 3) to this ballot. Respect Missouri Voters then gathered signatures for Amendment 6. source: kcur.org
- The campaign turned in more than 367,000 signatures on May 3, 2026. Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected it on Aug. 4 under the single-subject rule; a circuit court agreed, but the Missouri Supreme Court reversed that and put it on the ballot on Sept. 3, 2026. source: news.ballotpedia.org
Conflicts with another measure
- If Amendment 6 passes, changing any voter-approved policy would take 80% of both chambers. KCTV5 reports this would also cover the map voters pick through Proposition A. source: kctv5.com
Why supporters want it
- Jack Cardetti, spokesperson for Yes on 6: the initiative process is "a check and balance against politicians to make sure they're not ignoring the will of the people." source: ky3.com
- Cardetti: "Amendment 6 makes sure that Missourians have a seat at the table." source: kcur.org
Why opponents object
- State Sen. Joe Nicola (R-Grain Valley) calls it "dangerous" to a constitutional republic and says "The senators and representatives are directly accountable to the people." Nicola says it would make fixing unintended effects of laws nearly impossible. source: kcur.org
- Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, who rejected the petition: "they want to New-York-City the Show-Me State, and I'm firmly against that." source: ky3.com
- State Sen. Jason Bean of Holcomb called it a "horrible, horrible amendment" and said a committee would be formed to oppose it. source: kcur.org
Who backs each side
- For: Respect MO Voters (submitted the petition) and the Yes on Amendment 6 PAC, which had raised $2.7 million, mostly from labor unions, and spent $929,265 on broadcast ads starting Sept. 22, 2026. source: kcur.org
- Against: the Missouri Republican State Committee passed a resolution urging a no vote (late September 2026); Sen. Jason Bean said he would form an opposing committee. No opposing committee totals found. source: kcur.org
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Secretary of State's official ballot measure list .
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to: expand the initiative and referendum petition process by making it a fundamental right; allow courts to revise ballot summaries through lawsuits; prohibit the legislature from weakening initiative or referendum powers; prohibit the legislature from changing or repealing laws enacted through the initiative process, or passing laws similar to those rejected by referendum, without approval from at least 80% of both chambers; and preserve existing majority vote and signature requirements for initiative and referendum petitions? State and local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.
YES
NO
Copied word for word from the Secretary of State's 2026 ballot measures page (official ballot title). Your sample ballot is the final word.
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
No articles collected yet for this measure.
Full text of the measure
Read it in the Secretary of State 2026 ballot measures page , or on the Legislature's page for Initiative petition 2026-106 (Respect MO Voters) , which also shows the votes in each chamber.
Read more
- Secretary of State: 2026 ballot measures (official ballot titles and fair ballot language)
- KCUR: Amendment 6 explained
- Ballotpedia News: Amendment 6 heads to the ballot
- KY3: Amendment 6
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.