Information on Active Petition Efforts in Missouri
There are currently several different petitions circulating in our state to put a variety of different issues on the ballot for the voters to decide in 2026. This is a guide to some petitions you may want to know about. Visit the linked websites in each description to learn more about each petition.
Please note this guide is for voter education purposes. Inclusion in this guide does not imply endorsement by the STLDCC.
PEOPLE NOT POLITICIANS
GOAL: LET VOTERS DECIDE ON THE NEW MISSOURI CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT MAP
If successful, this effort would put the new gerrymandered congressional district map recently passed by Missouri Republicans on the ballot in an upcoming election to let the voters of Missouri decide whether the new map should go into effect or be vetoed by the people.
To succeed, People Not Politicians, a non-partisan organization, has to collect and turn in about 117,000 signatures by December 11th.
The Missouri Democratic Party and the national Democratic Party have both endorsed this effort to let the people decide.
RESPECT MISSOURI VOTERS
GOALS: PROTECT THE INITIATIVE PETITION PROCESS AND STOP POLITICIANS FROM OVERTURNING THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE
If successful, this effort would stop the state legislature from interfering with Missourians’ constitutional right to use the initiative petition process to put issues on the ballot. It would also make it much harder for politicians to overturn laws Missouri voters have already voted on.
To succeed, Respect Missouri Voters, a non-partisan organization, is working to collect about 300,000 signatures by December 31st.
MO FOR LGBTQ
GOALS: PROTECT MARRIAGE RIGHTS AND CIVIL RIGHTS FOR LGBTQ+ PEOPLE
MO for LGBTQ is collecting signatures for two related petitions. One would change Missouri’s state constitution, which currently defines marriage as between a man and a woman, to define marriage as “between two consenting adults.” This would protect marriage rights for LGBTQ+ people in our state if the Supreme Court ruling currently protecting them at the federal level is overturned.
The other petition would expand Missouri's anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and marital status.
MISSOURI RIGHT TO EDUCATION
GOALS: MAKE EDUCATION A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT FOR MISSOURI KIDS AND REQUIRE THE STATE TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN EVERY DISTRICT
If successful, this petition by Missouri Right to Education would change the state constitution, which already requires Missouri to provide public schools, to define education as a fundamental right for Missouri kids, and require the state to maintain “adequate, thorough, and uniform high quality free public schools.” This is intended to help address the inequality we currently see across our state between different school districts.