Respect MO Voters town hall to educate residents on Missouri’s citizen initiative process

Joplin, MO - Joplin residents with Respect MO Voters are planning a town hall Wednesday, Jan. 28 on Missouri’s citizen ballot initiative process.

Some residents feel that Missouri politicians have disrespected voters, since several times in the last several years, the legislature has overturned election results and deceived voters with confusing ballot language.

For example, Respect MO says in 2018 a majority of Jasper County residents voted to pass Amendment 1 for ethics and redistricting reforms.

But then legislators gutted these reforms by placing the issues back on the ballot with language that was found to be illegally deceptive.

Now, over 1,200 volunteers have gathered over 130,000 signatures for the Respect MO Voters Amendment, which would:

• Require ballot summaries to be clear, unbiased, fair, accurate, and easy to understand so voters understand what they’re voting on

• Defend Missourians’ century-old freedom of the initiative process by prohibiting the legislature from making it more difficult to gather signatures or pass initiatives at the ballot box. 

• Prohibit the legislature from overturning or changing initiatives passed by voters unless an 80% bipartisan supermajority sends changes to voters to approve.

After the presentation there will be a question-and-answer session, an opportunity to sign the Respect MO Voters petition, and the opportunity to volunteer.

Participants interested in volunteering to collect signatures can stay for a training to leave fully prepared with the knowledge, tools, and materials needed to begin collecting petition signatures in their communities.

WHAT: Respect MO Voters Town Hall with Q&A and volunteer opportunities

WHEN: Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

WHERE: Minnie Hackney Community Service Center, 110 S Main St, Joplin, MO 64801

WHO should attend: Community members, voters, advocates, volunteers, and concerned citizens  

WHY: Educate the public about Missouri’s citizen initiative petition process, sign the petition, and volunteer

RSVP: respectmovoters.org/townhalls or directly at https://mobilize.us/s/E116XE