The Missouri House gave initial approval on Tuesday to send some Clean Missouri provisions back to voters.
In November, 62% of voters approved the measure, which took the redrawing of voter districts out of legislator’s hands and shifted the responsibility to a non-partisan demographer. The House wants to roll that provision back, and give lawmakers the power again to weigh in on district drawing.
Supporters of making the change say the amendment that passed in November was unclear, and voters weren’t exactly sure what they were voting on.
The legislation’s sponsor, Rep. Dean Plocher, says the change will allow citizens to vote again on a clearer ballot measure, and says his amendment won’t automatically repeal the voter-approved change.
“We’re not trying to repeal anything with Amendment 1, we’re going to the voters. We’re not overturning the will of the voters, the voters are going to have their day,” says Plocher.
Opponents of the making the change say lawmakers are going against the wishes of Missouri voters.
Rep. Peter Meredith says the change will decrease transparency in the redistricting process.
“What voters said very clearly in November is they want transparency....So it literally undoes what voters just voted on,” says Meredith.
If the amendment gets passed by the General Assembly, it will go back to voters in November for approval.