Signatures submitted for four 2026 ballot measures that would limit legislative changes to the initiative process in Ark

In Arkansas, the Protect AR Rights campaign submitted signatures for a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit the state legislature’s authority over the citizen initiative and referendum process. The amendment would prohibit lawmakers from passing laws that interfere with the initiative process or amending voter-approved constitutional amendments, and it would require a two-thirds vote to amend initiated statutes. On July 3, the campaign submitted 108,837 signatures to the secretary of state’s office; 90,704 valid signatures are required for the measure to qualify for the ballot.

In Missouri, Respect MO Voters submitted signatures for a constitutional amendment that would prohibit the state legislature from “weakening citizens’ initiative or referendum powers.” The amendment defines this to include increasing signature thresholds, shortening signature-gathering periods, restricting subject matter, limiting judicial review of ballot language, imposing additional requirements on petitioners, or requiring more than a simple majority for approval. It would also prohibit lawmakers from changing a voter-approved initiative unless at least 80% of both the House and Senate vote to refer the proposed change to voters. On May 3, the campaign filed 367,000 signatures; 170,215 valid signatures are required to qualify for the ball.....

In Montana, voters may decide a constitutional amendment that would add the initiative and referendum power to the state’s Declaration of Rights. The amendment would provide that the government may not deny or burden that right unless doing so serves a compelling government interest through the least restrictive means. It would also guarantee “impartial, predictable, transparent, and expeditious processes” for proposing, qualifying, and submitting ballot issues to voters without government interference or the use of government resources to support or oppose a measure. On June 19, supporters filed more than 100,000 signatures to qualify the amendment for the ballot........

In Nebraska, voters may decide an amendment that would require a four-fifths legislative vote to change, impair, or repeal an approved ballot initiative. It would also require changes to the initiative process to be approved by four-fifths of state legislators and "to advance a compelling state interest achieved by the least restrictive means." On July 2, more than 186,000 signatures were filed to place the measure on the ballot.






https://news.ballotpedia.org/2026/07/09/signatures-submitted-for-four-2026-ballot-measures-that-would-limit-legislative-changes-to-the-initiative-process-in-arkansas-missouri-montana-and-nebraska/