Wasinger Warns Amendment Six Could Bring Major Changes to Missouri

Missouri Lt. Gov. David Wasinger is warning that Amendment Six could significantly alter the state’s laws and constitution if approved by voters.

“Amendment Six will fundamentally change Missouri,” Wasinger said.

According to official Missouri Secretary of State filings Amendment Six, is asking voters, “Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to: 

• expand the initiative and referendum petition process by making it a fundamental right;

• allow courts to revise ballot summaries through lawsuits;

• prohibit the legislature from weakening initiative or referendum powers;

• prohibit the legislature from changing or repealing laws enacted through the initiative process, or passing laws similar to those rejected by referendum, without approval from at least 80% of both chambers; and

• preserve existing majority vote and signature requirements for initiative and referendum petitions?”

Wasinger argued that the measure could make future changes to laws and constitutional amendments more difficult, claiming that 80% of the Legislature could eventually be required to “clean the bill up.”

He also raised concerns about potential changes involving gun restrictions, abortion policy, gender-related policies, election laws and mail-in voting.

“If this passes and Amendment Three fails, it may come to the point where Missouri may need a constitutional convention,” Wasinger said.

“If it fails, which I'm cautiously optimistic that it will, it's a tough environment and we have to wait until November to see if it passes or fails,” Wasinger said. He also warned that if Amendment Six passes, future efforts could target guns, a wealth tax and paper ballots, arguing that some changes could be difficult to reverse.

According to official Missouri Secretary of State filings Amendment Three, is asking voters, “Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

• Repeal the 2024 voter-approved Amendment providing reproductive healthcare rights, including abortion through fetal viability;

• Allow abortions for rape and incest (under twelve-weeks’ gestation), emergencies, and fetal anomalies;

• Allow legislation regulating abortion;

• Ensure parental consent for minors’ abortions;

• Prohibit gender transition procedures for minors?

State governmental entities estimate no costs or savings. Greene County estimates it may experience an unknown increase in tax revenue. Other local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.”

Congressional Map Debate Continues

Wasinger also discussed Missouri's ongoing debate over congressional redistricting.

He said Missouri should have pursued a seven-Republican, one-Democrat congressional map in 2022, “This is the craziest thing. Back in 2022, we should have done a 7-1 map then.” 

You can listen to the full interview in the podcast section of KZRG’s website.