JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — One of four ballot measures set to appear on Missouri ballots in the Aug. 4 primary election, if passed, would alter the way the Initiative Petition Process operates, leaving labor and union organizations as well as Missouri citizens, alike restless.
Amendment 4 — which is listed as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment — originally scheduled for the Nov. 3 election, will now go before Missouri voters on Aug. 4. Documented under Article III of the Missouri Constitution, this amendment originated as a joint resolution, which was signed by Missouri Speaker of the House Jon Patterson and Missouri Senate Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin before it was received by the Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and the state capitol office on Sept. 12, 2025.
The following ballot language for Amendment 4 — or House Joint Resolution No. 3 — which was certified by Hoskins on March 17, will read as follows:
“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
- Modify current requirements that a statewide majority of voters may approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution;
- Require a majority of voters in each congressional district to approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution; and
- Make available to each voter the full text of initiative petitions with their ballot?
The Department of Corrections estimates increased annual costs of up to $21,817. The Office of State Public Defender estimates an unknown fiscal impact. Other state government entities estimate no costs or savings. Local government entities estimate no costs or savings.
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to:
- Modify current requirements of Article III and Article XII that a simple statewide majority of voters may approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution;
- Require a majority of voters in each congressional district to approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution; and
- Make available to each voter the full text of initiative petitions with their ballot.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to require majority approval in each congressional district for initiative petitions to amend the constitution or make available the full text of initiative petitions with the ballot.”
This amendment was originally sponsored by Missouri House 6th District Representative Ed Lewis (R) for reasons including that state constitution changes should require a more extensive citizen concurrence.
For the past 27 years, Missouri citizens have had the ability to initiate constitutional amendments — a policy, which was passed through Article III Section 57 of the Missouri Constitution in November 1998. And the requirement for these amendments to pass currently involves a simple majority — or 50% plus one — voter approval.
However, Amendment 4 would shift this condition from a simple majority to supermajority of not two-thirds or three-fifths, but rather voter approval in all eight Missouri congressional districts — with disapproval in one district, having the power to defeat the initiative for the entire state.
While 11 U.S. states currently require a supermajority approval for certain ballot measures, and four must have a supermajority for constitutional amendment ballot measures, this resolution is a policy, which does not currently exist across any U.S. state.
This amendment additionally would prohibit foreign nationals — or non-U.S. citizens — and foreign adversaries — or national government groups controlled by a non-U.S. country — from fiscally supporting or opposing ballot measures including receiving disciplinary action for involvement.
“I think it’s a horrible state public policy,” Missouri AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Ryan McKenna said in an interview. “Amendement 4 says a citizen-led petition would have to pass in all eight congressional districts. However, if the politicians put something on the ballot it would only need to pass with a simple majority of Missourians; Amendment 4 puts politicians over people. No logical person thinks that makes sense.”
Though this Amendment is not only a source of frustration for McKenna and the AFL-CIO but additionally for the union community as a whole, who have spoken out in opposition.
“From a laborer perspective, in Missouri’s history over the last 100 years, very few constitutional amendments have won in all eight congressional districts,” Missouri and Kansas Laborers’ District Council Government Affairs Director Zack Dunn said in an interview. “It’s an attempt to end the citizen-led initiative process; it’s taking a tool out of our toolbox.”
A campaign “Respect Mo Voters” — aimed at elected officials, requests fair, unbiased ballot summaries as well as an overall mission to protect the will of the people, according to its website — was launched in September 2025, which operates in opposition to Amendment 4. Working to turn this initiative into a ballot measure for the Nov. 3 election, “Respect Mo Voters” would prohibit any establishment of required supermajority voter approval. As of May 3, campaign volunteers collected and submitted a total of 367,741 signatures to Hoskins. However, Hoskins has not yet announced whether or not “Respect Mo Voters” will appear on November ballots.
“[Amendment 4] is a direct attack on the [Respect Missouri Voters] fight the laborers are trying to win in November,” Dunn said in an interview. “In Missouri, we’ve had to proactively fight for what we have; by eliminating the constitutional process, it hinders the process to advance rights for workers and the quality of life for Missourians. We want to uphold the will of the people and protect majority rule.”
While Amendment 4 has received support and endorsements from organizations including the Missouri Farm Bureau — which it announced in a press release on June 8 — various public officials and groups, including the Missouri Association of Realtors, have spoken out in opposition.
“I’m shocked and disappointed that instead of producing legislation around Initiative Petition that helps educate our Missourians to make their educated decision around an issue, we are setting up a system that disincentivizes the opponents of any IP (Initiative Petition) from educating all Missourians because they only need to convince one set of voters,” Missouri House 45th District Representative Kathy Steinhoff said in a statement on June 9. “This rigs the system and I assure you all Missourians on both sides of the aisle are tired of the system being rigged.”
Amendment 4 will appear on Missouri ballots on Aug. 4. For additional information on the ballot measure, including how to get involved prior to election day, McKenna urges those to contact the Missouri AFL-CIO and its Political Director, Carson Pope.
Julia Williams — a Kansas City native — is a reporter and digital producer for The Labor Beacon. A University of Missouri School of Journalism alumna, she previously served as the editor-in-chief of The Northeast News before joining The Labor Beacon staff.
Williams’s grandfather was a Claycomo Ford Motor Company retiree and avid UAW Local 249 supporter, allowing her to understand the union difference from a young age.
In her free time, Williams enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to see her friends and hanging out at home with her cat, Greta. She loves a good cup of coffee, seeing local, live music and shopping secondhand. With a passion for storytelling, she hopes to bring her knowledge of journalistic integrity to the Kansas City union community — giving union and labor workers a voice, while holding people in powerful positions accountable.
