What right allows citizens to propose new laws in Missouri?

The right that allows citizens to propose new laws in Missouri is known as the right to initiative. This process empowers the electorate to put forth new legislation or policy changes directly, bypassing traditional legislative routes if they gather enough support.

In Missouri, citizens can initiate proposals by collecting a required number of signatures from registered voters within a specific timeframe. This mechanism is a form of direct democracy, allowing citizens to engage actively in the legislative process and influence public policy according to the needs and desires of the community.

This initiative process is distinct from the right to referendum, which involves voters deciding on legislation that has already been passed by the legislature, or the right to recall, which enables voters to remove elected officials from office. The right to amendment refers to the process of formally changing the state constitution, which is a different avenue than proposing new laws. Thus, the right to initiative is specifically focused on the introduction of new legislative measures directly by the people.