Republicans in the Missouri Legislature have said their #1 priority is to make it harder for voters to approve things at the ballot box.
Here’s some background on the Republican proposal to gut Missouri’s Initiative Petition process: In Missouri, if voters feel like the Legislature has not addressed an issue, voters can gather thousands of signatures and put items directly on the ballot for public approval. In the past, voters have used this process to raise the minimum wage, expand healthcare to working families, and pass sweeping ethics reforms for politicians.
But now, Republicans want to make it nearly impossible to approve ballot items. The Republicans’ proposal would eliminate ‘one person, one vote’ and make it so some people’s votes count more than others. In fact, under their proposed legislation, even if 75% of voters approve something, it could still be defeated by just 25% of votes cast depending on who cast them and where.
This attack on Missouri’s Initiative Petition process would take power away from the people and give it to politicians. That’s why I will continue to fight for working men and women to make sure that your voice is heard, and your vote ALWAYS counts.
Representative Robert E. Sauls, a Democrat, represents the eastern part of Independence in Jackson County (District 21) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2018.
Prior to his legislative duties, Sauls was a Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney and a public defender. He also served as an assistant staff judge advocate in the United States Air Force.
Sauls graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1998. He received a bachelor’s degree in International Business from William Jewell College in 2002 and a juris doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2008.
Born in Independence, Sauls is a fourth generation resident and currently resides there with his son, Jackson.
