Missouri's initiative petition system has been in place for 115 years. It allows citizens to put an issue on the ballot for a statewide vote. This critical tool, used through the years by citizens from all political persuasions, is now under attack by lawmakers who want to curtail the people's power.

The legislature is currently proposing 20 or so different bills that would make it harder to get an issue on the ballot and increase the threshold for an initiated measure to pass once on the ballot. A large majority of voters recently approved a higher minimum wage, Medicaid expansion, and medical marijuana through the initiative petition process. Under the proposed new threshold, each would have failed. 

For our March Lunch & Learn, NCJWSTL is excited to welcome Ashton Kuehnel who will present on why this is happening and what we can do about it. Ashton is a Grassroots organizer with the Sierra Club - Missouri Chapter. In her role, Ashton has organized around Medicaid expansion, a just transition to clean, renewable energy, and voting protections. She currently resides in St. Louis City and is a St. Louis University Alum.