What is the minimum requirement for amendments proposed through an initiative petition in Missouri?

The correct answer is based on the requirement established in the Missouri Constitution regarding initiative petitions for amendments. Specifically, to propose an amendment through an initiative, supporters must collect signatures that amount to 8% of the votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election. This percentage is calculated based on the total number of votes, ensuring that the number of signatures reflects a significant level of support from the electorate.

This requirement is critical because it provides a measure of legitimacy and public backing for the proposed amendments. By tying the signature requirement to past election results, the process maintains a standard that is responsive to the state's voting population, allowing for a direct expression of the voters' will in the initiative process. It prevents amendment proposals from being based solely on a small, potentially unrepresentative group of voters, ensuring broader support is necessary for any constitutional changes.

Other options, while aiming to establish a benchmark for signature collection, do not align with the specific constitutional mandate set for Missouri. The percentages and numbers stated in the other choices either underrepresent or misrepresent the actual requirements, demonstrating the importance of knowing the exact constitutional prerequisites when engaging in the initiative petition process.