A Cole County judge this week blocked two potential ballot measures from the November ballot. Circuit Judge Daniel Green ruled that both measures violated the state and federal constitutions.
The first proposal, which would be Amendment 6 on the November ballot, would limit the legislature’s ability to repeal or amend measures passed by an initiative petition. It would require an 80% majority vote to place proposals changing citizen-initiated laws and constitutional amendments passed since January 1, 2010 before voters. Judge Green stated that the proposal combined multiple subjects and “impermissibly constricts” legislative freedom.
Judge Green also blocked a proposed referendum to the recently-passed Republican redistricting plan. “The Missouri Constitution does not supply any statement — let alone a clear one — reallocating authority over congressional redistricting away from the General Assembly to a referendum process,” Green wrote.
Both cases will now go to the Missouri Supreme Court on appeal. A ruling must be issued by Sept. 8, the last day for courts to add questions to the Nov. 3 ballot.