Latest news with #ballotmeasure
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
For the people, by the people: Missouri's Initiative Petition process and changes for August 2025
ST. JOSEPH. MO (News-Press NOW) — A sweeping new law set to take effect Thursday, Aug. 28, will reshape how Missourians bring issues directly to the ballot. Citizens use the Initiative Petition process to put new laws or constitutional amendments directly on the ballot by gathering signatures. It's been used in Missouri for over 100 years, allowing voters to bypass the legislature and place issues directly on the ballot. Recent examples of this include medicaid expansion, abortion access and medical marijuana legalization. Senate Bill 22, passed by Missouri lawmakers earlier this year and signed by Governor Mike Parson, introduces a series of changes to the state's Initiative Petition process, altering everything from who writes the official ballot language to when and how legal challenges can be filed. Supporters of the bill acknowledge the changes will provide greater consistency and fairness. However, critics warn it could undermine democracy by making it harder for grassroots organizations to bring issues before voters. Ballot summary responsibility One of the most significant shifts under Senate Bill 22 is who will write the summary language appearing on ballots, a key piece of information that can shape how voters perceive an issue. Previously, the Missouri Secretary of State was responsible for writing the short summary that appears on ballots to explain what a proposed measure does. State Representative Dean Van Schoiack (R-Savannah), who represents part of Buchanan County, said the change is about 'putting power back in the hands of the elected General Assembly, rather than relying solely on one state office to control how issues are worded for voters.' I think the changes made here allow for the Secretary of State to do his job correctly," VanSchoiack said. Under the new law, when the legislature itself refers an issue to the ballot, lawmakers will now write the summary language instead. The Secretary of State will continue to write summaries for citizen-led petitions. Disagreers of the bill, including David Jones, the vice president for the St. Joseph National Education Association (NEA), argue that it gives more power to officials and not the will of the people. "It's important that when we do any initiatives that are going to go to the vote for the voters, that's worded clearly," Jones said. Longer ballot summaries In the past, anyone who disagreed with the wording of a ballot summary had 10 days after certification to challenge it. Courts also had the authority to rewrite summaries if they found the wording biased. Now, legal challenges and court fights over how a ballot question is worded must be filed by the 22nd Tuesday before the general election. Around 154 days ahead of time. Any court battles over ballot wording must be fully resolved at least 70 days before the election. Additionally, courts must wait for the Secretary of State to attempt up to three rewrites before stepping in. "It doesn't change what's in the petition or the resolution or whatever," VanSchoiack said. "It just gives a chance for the ballot language to change." But critics, including several voter advocacy groups, express that these new hurdles will make it harder for ordinary citizens to hold the government accountable, especially if ballot summaries are drafted in a way that favors one side. "It would be harder for organizations to challenge ballot initiatives that are worded improperly, Jones said. Tune in to News-Press NOW at 5 p.m. on Thursday to watch this Special Report. Solve the daily Crossword
Washington Post
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
California Republican lawmakers launch campaign to require voter ID
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Two California Republican state lawmakers launched a campaign Wednesday to place a measure on the 2026 ballot that would require voter identification and proof of citizenship at the polls. The proposal would require the state to verify proof of citizenship when a person registers to vote, and voters would have to provide identifications at the polls. Those who vote through mail-in ballots would have to give the last four digits of a government-issued ID such as a Social Security number.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ballot measure petitioners race against the clock before new restrictions
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – A controversial new law making it tougher for citizen-led amendments to get on the ballot will go into effect next week. This weekend, a political action committee organized a statewide effort to collect as many signatures as possible for several ballot measure proposals before House Bill 1205 goes into effect. Nick Biscardi is the political action chair with the Hillsborough County LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. 'We are not going to stand for it,' Biscardi said. Biscardi is leading Tampa Bay's efforts for a petition surge this weekend. He's helping Florida Constitutional Amendments Network, which is the PAC behind the statewide drive. 'We've seen the amendments that have passed here in Florida because of these petitions. Biscardi mentioned increasing the state minimum wage and restoring voting rights for some felons as two examples. However, changes to collecting and delivering petitions for future ballot measures go into effect on Tuesday. 'DeSantis and the republicans in Florida are doing everything they can to restrict the rights that we have to actually get amendments on the ballot,' Biscardi said. The governor called for changes following claims of fraudulent petitions during campaigns to expand access to abortion and legalize recreational marijuana. Florida Republican Party Chair Evan Power said the new law is about preventing fraudulent signatures and outside influence. 'This gives us the ability to say you must be eligible to vote in Florida in order to collect petitions, so we can guarantee those petitions are fair, accurate, and are collected by Floridians,' Power said. The new law states that only Florida residents who are U.S. citizens can collect signatures or deliver petitions. If they handle more than 25 petitions, that will require registration with the Secretary of State's office, and after a petition is signed, that means a voter has 10 days instead of 30 to turn it in. There could be fines or even criminal charges for breaking this law. 'Here in Florida, we have a legislature that passes laws, and if you really want to change a law, you should advocate to elect people to change that law in Tallahassee,' Power said. This month, a federal judge struck down a key GOP provision in the law. The judge didn't allow the law to expand the definition of 'racketeering' to include some petition gathering efforts. However, the judge is allowing nearly all of HB1205 to become law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
