The Respect MO Voters Campaign reported this weekend it has collected over 100,000 signatures since launching in September. Its goal is to collect 300,000 by the May 3 deadline to file a petition with the Missouri Secretary of State.
The campaign seeks to prevent the legislature from overturning voter-approved ballot measures, eliminate the use of confusing ballot language, and block lawmakers from reforming the ballot initiative process, as they are attempting to do with legislation passed during a special session in September.
There are multiple ballot campaigns circulating in the state ahead of next November’s election. They take up issues ranging from LGBTQ rights to the public school system, to the legislature’s redistricting effort.
The Respect MO Voters campaign has been particularly active in the Northwest region, holding events in Tarkio, Rock Port, Maryville, and St. Joseph within the last few weeks.
Nancy Zeliff, of Skidmore, is the campaign organizer for the St. Joseph region said their message is getting traction. “At the Maryville Town Hall we had approximately 50 people come in a two-hour timespan,” she said. “It was great to talk with people who really wanted to see changes in Missouri.”
A coalition of area advocacy organizations held a food drive in St. Joseph on Nov. 15 and were on hand to collect signatures for a variety of issues, including a challenge to the legislature’s redistricting effort and the Respect MO Voters Campaign.
Zeliff said their messages are having an appeal across party lines. She recalled speaking with one woman who “nodded her head and said, ‘I’ve always been upset about the puppy mills,’” referencing a law passed by citizens which was reversed by GOP lawmakers. “‘And I vote Republican,’ the woman said.”
“She took her pen, and she signed both petitions…. Missourians are not happy with Jefferson City,” said Zeliff.
