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PETITIONS

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR THE PETITIONING PROCESS?

Citizens of the State of Missouri may petition:

  • To amend the Constitution of Missouri (see Article III)

    In order to amend the state constitution, 8% of the registered voters in 2/3rds of the Congressional Districts of Missouri must sign the petitions. They are to be filed with the Secretary of State.

  • To Enact a new State Law (see Article III)

    In order to enact a state law by initiative, 5% of the registered voters in 2/3rds of the Congressional Districts of Missouri must sign the petitions. They are to be filed with the Secretary of State.

  • To vote on an existing law (see Article III)

    In order to vote on an existing law ("Referendum"), 5% of the registered voters in 2/3rds of the Congressional Districts of Missouri must sign the petitions. They are to be filed with the Secretary of State.

Chapter 116 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri also should be consulted, especially as to form and procedure. Questions should be directed to the office of the Secretary of State, Division of Elections in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Citizens of the State of Missouri may also petition to become an independent (non-partisan) candidate for any office which would be sought through filing with either the Secretary of State or the appropriate County Clerk.

Petitions to run for a statewide office as an Independent Candidate require 10,000 signatures of registered voters. Please see Chapter 115 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri as to form, deadlines and procedure. Candidates for Congress or for the State Senate or House of Representatives require 2% of the registered voters in their respective districts. All of the above candidates should file with the Secretary of State. Question about procedure, deadlines, forms, etc., should be directed to that office. See especially Chapter 115.321, R.S. Mo.

Candidates for County office may file petitions to become Independent (non-partisan) candidates by filing with the County Clerk. Petitions containing signatures of registered voters numbering at least 2% of the registered voters in the appropriate county or district of the County must be filed.

Missourians may also petition to form a new political party on the State or various local levels. Please see Chapter 115.315 R.S. Mo for more information. Forms are found in 115.325 for the above offices and to form a new party.

Where no Election Board now exists, Missourians may petition to form one (115.019, R.S. Mo.).

Citizens of the City of Kansas City use the petition process to

  • Become a candidate for Mayor or City Council. (Please see Article XVI of the City Charter and further information and forms may be obtained from the office of the Kansas City Board of Elections or the City Clerk of Kansas City.)
  • Amend the Charter of Kansas City (For more information, please see Article VI, Section 20 of the Constitution of Missouri.)
  • Vote on a City Ordinance by the initiative or referendum (Please see Article XVII, City Charter.)

Citizens of Jackson County may petition to

  • Amend the County Charter (See XV of the County Charter)
  • Recall County Officials (See Article XIV of the County Charter)
  • Vote on a County Ordinance by the Initiative or Referendum (See Article XIV, County Charter)

For more information, please consult the Clerk of the County Legislature or the office of the County Counselor.

Finally, residents of the School District of Kansas City, Missouri can become candidates for the Board of Directors of the district by the petition process. For more information, please see Chapter 162 R.S. Mo or consult the Secretary of the Kansas City School Board.

Note: signing a petition does not 'obligate' the signer to vote for any particular candidate or on any particular issue. It merely is the signer's way of placing someone or something on the ballot for a public vote.

IF I SIGN A PETITION, DO I STILL NEED TO VOTE?

As a registered voter, your signature on a petition does not represent how you will vote or obligate you to a particular vote. It merely represents that you support the placement of an issue or a candidate on the ballot. You must still cast your vote on Election Day.