Missouri Senate Faces Standoff Over Initiative Petition Reform

Democrats filibuster Republican measure to toughen constitutional amendment process, spotlighting rural-urban divide.

Senate Democrats in Missouri have blocked a Republican-backed measure aimed at making it more difficult to pass constitutional amendments through initiative petitions.
The proposed measure requires a simple majority statewide and in five of eight congressional districts for constitutional amendments to take effect.
The initiative is seen as a response to recent progressive wins at the ballot box, including Medicaid expansion and marijuana legalization.
Critics argue the measure undermines direct democracy and disproportionately empowers rural voters over urban ones.
The debate and filibuster come amid a campaign to place an abortion rights amendment on the ballot, intensifying the political stakes.