Missouri's Constitution guarantees citizens the "power to propose and enact or reject laws and amendments to the constitution by the initiative, independent of the general assembly."
And it has provided that guarantee since at least 1875.
But, with more than 140 proposed petitions submitted to the secretary of state's office since November 2010 - and 50 lawsuits filed in the Cole County circuit court, seeking to block or correct some of those petitions - a number of groups and associations this year are backing proposed laws to change the way the petitions process begins.