Amendment 6 would curb power over voter-made laws

What Amendment 6 would change

Missouri voters will decide Amendment 6 on Nov. 3. If adopted, it would prevent the General Assembly from changing or repealing voter-approved initiative laws without first securing support from at least 80% of both the House and Senate. The proposed change would then go before voters in another statewide election.

Current law allows lawmakers to amend or repeal a voter-approved statute in the same way they change other state laws. Voter-approved constitutional amendments cannot be changed directly by the legislature, but a simple majority in each chamber can place a proposed constitutional change before voters. Amendment 6 would raise that legislative threshold to 80% for proposed changes to either type of voter-enacted measure.

The amendment would also make the initiative and referendum process a fundamental right, preserve current requirements for placing measures on the ballot and prohibit lawmakers from weakening that process.

Arguments over legislative flexibility

Supporters say the measure would protect election results and preserve initiatives as a check on elected officials. John Dinan, a Wake Forest University professor who studies state constitutions and direct democracy, said the measure would place Missouri among states offering the strongest protections for voter-initiated policies.

Opponents say the higher threshold could prevent lawmakers from addressing technical problems, emergencies or outdated provisions. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry has argued that state government needs room to respond when a voter-approved policy proves unworkable.

A recent dispute over voter-approved policy

In November 2024, voters approved an initiative raising Missouri’s minimum wage, requiring many employers to provide paid sick leave and linking later wage increases to inflation. The sick-leave requirement took effect May 1, 2025.

Two weeks later, the legislature passed a bill repealing the sick-leave requirement and ending future inflation-based minimum-wage increases. Gov. Mike Kehoe signed it in July 2025. Amendment 6 would require the 80% legislative votes and another statewide vote for comparable changes to a voter-approved law.