Missouri House refuses conference on Senate's constitutional ballot reform item

(The Center Square) – The day after the Missouri Senate requested a conference with the House to possibly compromise on how voters could change the state constitution, the House sent back the same legislation.

By a vote of 104-45 on Thursday afternoon, the second-to-last day of the 2024 session, the House refused to change its amendments to Senate Joint Resolution 74. The legislation was returned to the House on Wednesday after a two-day filibuster by Democrats to stop the bill.

The legislation would place a proposal on the ballot asking voters to change approval of constitutional amendments from a simple majority to a simple majority and a majority in five of the state’s eight congressional districts. The House added language, called “ballot candy” by both parties, to the measure. The ballot language would start with asking voters if only U.S. citizens should vote on constitutional amendments and forbid foreign countries from funding amendment proposals, both currently illegal. Then, the ballot would ask about changing the majorities for approval.

The House adjourned after the vote and will reconvene at 10 a.m. on Friday and end at or before 6 p.m., as required by the constitution.




https://www.thecentersquare.com/missouri/article_6040245e-13ce-11ef-a49b-37f0b1963937.html