Protecting Missouri’s Constitution

In an era where direct democracy risks being hijacked by special interests and foreign influences, Missouri's House Joint Resolution 3 (HJR 3) emerges as a vital shield for our state's foundational principles. HJR 3 isn't about stifling voter voices—it's about ensuring those voices represent genuine Missouri values, free from fraud, deception, and external manipulation.

As the Show-Me State prepares for the 2026 ballot, HJR 3 proposes a balanced reform to the initiative petition (IP) process, addressing glaring abuses while preserving citizens' rights. With progressive groups already flooding the system with radical proposals, supporting HJR 3 isn't just prudent—it's essential to protecting our families, jobs, and way of life.

Why We Need IP Reform Now

Progressives are corrupting the citizen initiative process to push for direct democracy, bypassing representative government. If left unchecked, this could make Missouri unrecognizable and unworthy of saving. HJR 3 is a critical step to restore balance and protect our state's future.

What’s in HJR 3?

HJR 3 introduces commonsense reforms to Missouri's initiative petition process, aiming to prevent fraud, foreign interference, and manipulation while maintaining citizen input.

Key provisions include:

• Prohibiting Contributions from Foreign Adversaries and Nationals: Bans direct and in-kind contributions from foreign entities to initiative petitions. This language mirrors Senate Bill 152, which was passed in the 2025 legislative session.

• Punishing Initiative Petition Signature Fraud as a Crime: Establishes clear penalties for fraudulent signatures to ensure the integrity of the process.

• Requiring Public Hearings for Public Comment: Mandates hearings before initiatives are placed on the ballot, allowing Missourians to provide input.

• Making Full Text Available to Voters: Ensures that the complete text of any initiative petition is provided with ballots for transparency.

• Require a majority of voters: Protect rural Missourians by requiring a majority of voters in each congressional district to approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution

These measures protect the process from abuse without eliminating citizen-led initiatives.

How Constitutional Amendments Will Be Ratified by Voters

HJR 3 differentiates ratification requirements based on how amendments are proposed, ensuring broader consensus for citizen-driven changes:

• For Amendments Proposed by Citizen Initiative or Constitutional Convention: Requires a majority approval in each congressional district, promoting statewide buy-in.

• For Amendments Proposed by the Legislature: Requires only a simple majority (50% plus one vote) statewide.

This structure balances accessibility with protection against urban-dominated decisions that could override rural voices.

Citizens Will Still Have a Voice!

HJR 3 does not eliminate the initiative process—it refines it to prevent exploitation. Important points include:

• No changes to citizen initiative petitions for statutory or referendum ballot measures.

• These measures will still require only a simple majority (50% plus one) to pass.

• The legislature retains the ability to modify or repeal any statutory ballot measure, preserving flexibility.

Missourians can continue to propose and vote on laws that align with their values.