To the editor:
Remember the Respect MO Voters petition you signed earlier this year? That petition was to amend the Missouri constitution to require ballot language to be clear and easy to understand, protect our freedom to petition and prevent politicians from overturning what the people vote into law. It is slated for the November ballot, but it faces a threat in the form of Amendment 4 on the upcoming Aug. 4 ballot.
Amendment 4 is a direct attack on the power of the people of Missouri. It changes the requirement for citizen-initiated amendments from a simple statewide majority vote to a majority vote in every single congressional district. This means voters in just one district could veto the will of the rest of the state — 5% of voters could vote down what the rest of the state approves.
If Amendment 4 passes, it will be much more difficult for the Respect MO Voters amendment to pass in November, and things like Prop A, which increased minimum wage and expanded paid sick leave, would not have passed under this new rule. In fact, the Respect MO Voters amendment is, in part, a direct response to the overturning of the paid sick leave portion of Prop A by Gov. Mike Kehoe and the GOP. We need the Respect MO Voters amendment to pass in November. Our state constitution attests that the people have the power of government. Let's remember that.
The politicians who created Amendment 4 are counting on poor turnout at the primary polls, less time for people to learn about this critical ballot measure, and confusing and misleading provisions to confound us on election day. Further, Amendment 4 changes the rules only for citizen-initiated amendments. Politicians will still be able to pass legislative amendments with a simple statewide majority vote, exempt from these new requirements.
Let's be clear: Amendment 4 is an attack on the people because the politicians do not want to be the only ones able to put measures on the ballot, using whatever convoluted messaging they choose. They are hoping that Missourians are not paying attention during a primary election.
Prove them wrong by voting No on 4 on Aug. 4. We will show them that the citizens of Missouri will not vote away our power to pass laws. We will not hand our power over to the politicians and special interest groups that control them. Double-check your voter registration status, research the ballot measures and get out to the polls.
Remember: No on 4 on the 4th! Keep the power with the people.
Thank you.
Bambi Grinder,
Springfield
