Missouri Noncitizen Voting Ballot Initiative Challenge

Lawsuit filed by two voters against Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R), Missouri State Rep. Dean Plotter (R), Missouri State Sens. Caleb Rowden (R) and Ben Brown (R) challenging the language of a noncitizen voting ballot initiative set to appear on the November ballot. On July 1, 2024, the secretary certified the title and language of Senate Joint Resolution 78, a proposed constitutional amendment that would prohibit noncitizen voting and ranked choice voting in Missouri elections. The plaintiffs argue that the ballot language does not accurately describe the proposed amendment and misleads voters to believe that these initiatives are not already state law. They claim S.J.R. 78’s ballot language is unfair and inaccurate, and ask the court to vacate the ballot initiative’s current summary language and require the defendants to draft and certify a new summary statement.

RESULT: On Aug. 12, 2024, the trial court declared that S.J.R. 78’s summary language is fair and accurate. The ballot initiative will appear on the November ballot as is. 

Last updated: August 15, 2024 9:08 am EST