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Signature requirements for ballot measures in Missouri
This page provides an overview of signature requirements for statewide citizen-initiated measures in Missouri. In Missouri, citizens can initiate constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums.
Signature requirements
In Missouri, the signature requirement totals for initiatives are based on the number of votes cast for governor in the state's most recent gubernatorial election. In two-thirds of Missouri's congressional districts, proponents must collect signatures equal to 5 percent of the gubernatorial vote for initiated state statutes and veto referendums and 8 percent of the gubernatorial vote for initiated constitutional amendments. Therefore, the total number of signatures required is less than 5 percent or 8 percent of the total votes cast for governor.
2026-2028
To get initiatives on the 2024 and 2026 general election ballots, the minimum number of signatures required is 170,215 for initiated constitutional amendments and 106,384 for initiated state statutes and veto referendums. These numbers were calculated through looking at voting totals in the six smallest congressional districts. If other districts are targeted for signature collection, the requirements will be higher.[1]
| Congressional district | 2024 gubernatorial vote | Rank | Req. for statutes and referendums | Req. for amendments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 311,915 | 8 | 15,596 | 24,954 |
| 2nd | 431,395 | 1 | 21,570 | 34,512 |
| 3rd | 401,227 | 2 | 20,062 | 32,099 |
| 4th | 370,875 | 5 | 18,544 | 29,670 |
| 5th | 333,988 | 7 | 16,700 | 26,720 |
| 6th | 378,080 | 3 | 18,904 | 30,247 |
| 7th | 371,969 | 4 | 18,599 | 29,758 |
| 8th | 360,817 | 6 | 18,041 | 28,866 |
2022-2024
To get initiatives on the 2022 and 2024 general election ballots, the minimum number of signatures required was 171,592 for initiated constitutional amendments and 107,246 for initiated state statutes and veto referendums. These numbers were calculated through looking at voting totals in the six smallest congressional districts. If other districts were targeted for signature collection, the requirements were higher.[1]
| Congressional district | 2020 gubernatorial vote | Rank | Req. for statutes and referendums | Req. for amendments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 320,388 | 8 | 16,020 | 25,632 |
| 2nd | 451,233 | 1 | 22,562 | 36,099 |
| 3rd | 416,231 | 2 | 20,812 | 33,299 |
| 4th | 368,104 | 5 | 18,406 | 29,449 |
| 5th | 355,720 | 6 | 17,786 | 28,458 |
| 6th | 390,227 | 3 | 19,512 | 31,219 |
| 7th | 375,158 | 4 | 18,758 | 30,013 |
| 8th | 335,262 | 7 | 16,764 | 26,821 |
2018-2020
To get initiatives on the 2018 and 2020 general election ballots, the minimum number of signatures required was 160,199 for initiated constitutional amendments and 100,126 for initiated state statutes and veto referendums. These numbers were calculated through looking at voting totals in the six smallest congressional districts. If other districts were targeted for signature collection, the requirements were higher.[1]
| Congressional district | 2016 gubernatorial vote | Rank (among districts) | Req. for Statutes and Veto ref. | Req. for Amendments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 319,649 | 7 | 15,983 | 25,572 |
| 2nd | 422,866 | 1 | 21,144 | 33,830 |
| 3rd | 379,936 | 2 | 18,997 | 30,395 |
| 4th | 338,786 | 5 | 16,940 | 27,103 |
| 5th | 326,951 | 6 | 16,348 | 26,157 |
| 6th | 357,579 | 3 | 17,879 | 28,607 |
| 7th | 343,171 | 4 | 17,159 | 27,454 |
| 8th | 316,324 | 8 | 15,817 | 25,306 |
2014-2016
To get initiatives on the 2014 and 2016 general election ballots, the minimum number of signatures required was 157,788 for initiated constitutional amendments and 98,618 for initiated state statutes and veto referendums. These numbers were calculated through looking at voting totals in the six smallest congressional districts. If other districts were targeted for signature collection, the requirements were higher.[1]
| Congressional district | 2012 gubernatorial vote | Rank (among districts) | Req. for Statutes and Veto ref. | Req. for Amendments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 345,026 | 3 | 17,252 | 27,603 |
| 2nd | 404,209 | 1 | 20,211 | 32,337 |
| 3rd | 351,362 | 2 | 17,569 | 28,109 |
| 4th | 325,375 | 6 | 16,269 | 26,030 |
| 5th | 334,068 | 5 | 16,704 | 26,726 |
| 6th | 338,577 | 4 | 16,929 | 27,087 |
| 7th | 324,291 | 7 | 16,215 | 25,944 |
| 8th | 304,975 | 8 | 15,249 | 24,398 |
2010-2012
To get initiatives on the 2010 and 2012 general election ballots, the minimum number of signatures required was 159,359 for initiated constitutional amendments and 99,600 for initiated state statutes and veto referendums. These numbers were calculated through looking at voting totals in the six smallest congressional districts. If other districts were targeted for signature collection, the requirements were higher.[1]
| Congressional district | 2008 gubernatorial vote | Rank (among districts) | Req. for Statutes and Veto ref. | Req. for Amendments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 301,597 | 8 | 15,080 | 24,128 |
| 2nd | 382,957 | 1 | 19,148 | 30,637 |
| 3rd | 312,172 | 5 | 15,609 | 24,974 |
| 4th | 306,260 | 7 | 15,313 | 24,501 |
| 5th | 311,686 | 6 | 15,585 | 24,935 |
| 6th | 330,826 | 2 | 16,542 | 26,467 |
| 7th | 325,991 | 4 | 16,300 | 26,080 |
| 8th | 278,604 | 9 | 13,931 | 22,289 |
| 9th | 328,315 | 3 | 16,416 | 26,266 |
2006-2008
To get initiatives on the 2006 and 2008 general election ballots, the minimum number of signatures required was 150,496 for initiated constitutional amendments and 94,060 for initiated state statutes and veto referendums. These numbers were calculated through looking at voting totals in the six smallest congressional districts. If other districts were targeted for signature collection, the requirements were higher.[1]
| Congressional district | 2004 gubernatorial vote | Rank (among districts) | Req. for Statutes and Veto ref. | Req. for Amendments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | ||||
| 2nd | ||||
| 3rd | ||||
| 4th | ||||
| 5th | ||||
| 6th | ||||
| 7th | ||||
| 8th | ||||
| 9th |
See law: Missouri Constitution, Article III, Section 50 & 53
Changes in the number of signatures
The following graph illustrates the number of signatures required for initiated constitutional amendments (8 percent of the gubernatorial vote), initiated state statutes (5 percent of the gubernatorial vote), and veto referendums (5 percent of the gubernatorial vote) from 2006 through 2024.
Signature filing deadlines
In Missouri, citizen-initiated ballot measures can appear on general election (even-numbered years) ballots. Signatures for initiated amendments and initiated statutes must be submitted six months before the election. Proponents of veto referendums must file signatures within 90 days following the adjournment of the legislative session in which the targeted law was passed.
| Year | Deadline |
|---|---|
| 2026 | May 3, 2026 |
| 2024 | May 5, 2024 |
| 2022 | May 8, 2022 |
| 2020 | May 3, 2020 |
| 2018 | May 6, 2018 |
| 2016 | May 8, 2016 |
| 2014 | May 4, 2014 |
| 2012 | May 6, 2012 |
| 2010 | May 2, 2010 |
See also
- Laws governing the initiative process in Missouri
- History of Initiative & Referendum in Missouri
- Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Missouri
External links
Footnotes
