Missouri ballot measure · November 3, 2026

Missouri Amendment 6, explained

Limits on legislative changes to voter-approved initiatives. A ballot measure is a yes-or-no question put directly to voters — no candidate is involved, and the wording on the ballot is the wording that becomes law. This page shows that wording first, then what it actually changes.

The official wording

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.

This is what appears on the ballot. Everything below explains it.

What it actually means

Makes initiative and referendum rights fundamental rights in the constitution and bars the Legislature from weakening them. Any change to a law or amendment passed by initiative would need an 80% vote in both chambers and then approval by voters. It locks in today's signature requirements and simple-majority rule for initiatives.

If you vote YES

The Legislature could not directly amend or repeal any law enacted by initiative; changes would need at least 80% of each chamber to refer them to voters, who would then have to approve them. This would apply to past initiatives too, such as the 2024 minimum wage law.
The Legislature could not pass laws similar to those voters rejected by referendum without the same 80% vote.
Laws restricting initiatives, such as higher signature thresholds, shorter circulation periods or supermajority vote requirements, would be barred and subject to strict scrutiny.
Courts could revise ballot summaries in lawsuits, and current signature requirements (5% for statutes and 8% for amendments, in two-thirds of congressional districts) and simple-majority approval would be preserved.

If you vote NO

The Legislature could continue to amend or repeal voter-approved statutes by a simple majority, as it did in 2025 when it repealed the paid sick leave and minimum wage inflation provisions of a 2024 initiative.
Changes to voter-approved constitutional amendments would still require a majority of both chambers plus a statewide vote.
The Legislature could propose changes to the initiative process itself, subject to voter approval for constitutional changes.

The numbers that matter

Legislative vote needed to change an initiative: 80% of each chamber, plus voter approval
Fiscal impact: No costs or savings
Signatures submitted: More than 350,000

Why supporters say YES

For more than 118 years Missourians have been able to put issues directly to voters; the amendment makes sure that when voters approve something, politicians cannot simply undo it after the election.
— Eric Bronner, co-founder of Veterans for All Voters, for Respect MO Voters
The court's decision is a victory for the principle that the people should have the final say.
— Eric Bronner, Respect MO Voters plaintiff

Why opponents say NO

The amendment is anti-democratic: it insulates itself from future reconsideration by the people and bundles in subjects unrelated to the initiative process.
— Kathleen Hunker, Missouri Attorney General's Office, arguing for the Secretary of State
It would strip away voters' ability to have their elected legislators propose and adjust state laws.
— Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway

What’s genuinely uncertain

The Missouri Supreme Court ordered the measure onto the ballot on September 3, 2026, but said claims that it would violate other constitutional provisions if passed are not yet ripe; those could be litigated if it is approved.
Respect MO Voters is the only registered committee; no registered opposition committee had reported contributions as of Ballotpedia's June 30 data. The opposing arguments above come from state officials in court.
An 80% vote would require 131 House members and 28 senators, meaning broad bipartisan agreement.

The bottom line

Stronger protection for laws voters pass by initiative, against sharply limiting the Legislature's ability to amend or fix them later.

One neutral sentence describing the tradeoff — not a recommendation.

Sources:sos.mo.gov missouriindependent.com missouriindependent.com ballotpedia.org

Checking it against the official text

The Missouri Secretary of State publishes the certified measures and, in most states, an official voter guide with fiscal notes. That is the authoritative version. Everything here is an explanation of it, not a substitute for it.

Confirm this with the official source

Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Missouri Secretary of State.

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