Missouri Voters Will Decide Amendment 6 on November 3
The ballot measure seeks to protect the initiative petition process from state legislative interference.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Legislative Policy
Live Poll
Should voter-approved ballot measures be protected from being overturned by the state legislature?
Missouri voters will head to the polls on November 3 to decide on Amendment 6, a measure designed to secure the state's initiative petition process. The proposed constitutional change aims to prevent lawmakers from overturning measures approved by the public.
Why it matters
The amendment addresses tensions between the legislature and voters, specifically seeking to stop lawmakers from reversing citizen-approved policies. It follows the legislature's 2025 repeal of a voter-passed paid sick leave measure.
Amendment 6 mandates an 80% supermajority in both legislative chambers to alter laws passed by voters. This follows the 2025 repeal of a paid sick leave initiative that had been approved by 58% of the electorate in 2024.
The players
Keri Ingle
She is a Missouri official who has publicly stated her support for the passage of Amendment 6.
Jonathan Patterson
He is a Missouri official who has expressed his opposition to the enactment of Amendment 6.
The details
Amendment 6 would prohibit the legislature from weakening the initiative petition process and explicitly permits judges to rewrite ballot questions deemed misleading. The measure aims to safeguard a petition process that has been active in the state since 1908.
Timeline
The initiative petition process was established in 1908.
Voters approved a paid sick leave measure in 2024.
The legislature repealed the voter-approved paid sick leave measure in 2025.
Voters will decide on Amendment 6 on November 3, 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of Amendment 6, including Jonathan Patterson, argue that the measure could overly constrain legislative authority and complicate governance. This perspective stands in contrast to the supporters who view the amendment as a necessary tool for protecting the will of the people.
If passed, the measure would change how the state government handles laws passed directly by citizens, making it significantly harder for lawmakers to repeal them. This directly impacts the long-term effectiveness of future ballot initiatives that Missourians might support at the polls.
The takeaway
Voters should review the specific language regarding judicial oversight of ballot questions to understand how the process may change. Deciding on this amendment requires balancing the desire for legislative stability against the protection of direct voter-led initiatives.
Further reading
For more on the state's upcoming ballot initiatives, see Legislative Policy.
Live Poll
Should voter-approved ballot measures be protected from being overturned by the state legislature?
