FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Contact: Communications Department, (573) 526-0949

Initiative petition approved for circulation for 2014 ballot

Jefferson City, MO. — Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced that an initiative petition relating to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights met state standards for circulation.

The official ballot title for the petition relating to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights reads:

Shall Missouri law regarding the Missouri Commission on Human Rights be amended to:

• Change the definition of discrimination to include any unfair treatment based on sexual orientation or gender identity; and
• Provide an exception to the Commission’s authority based on a sincerely held religious belief?

No or limited estimated costs or savings are expected by local governmental entities. Estimated annual costs to state governmental entities would be at least $89,000 with the total potential annual costs being unknown.

The petition, which would amend Chapter 213 of the Revised Missouri Statutes, was submitted by Mr. Aaron Malin, Missourians for Equality, PO Box 1084, Kirksville, MO 63501, (314) 238-4949.

Before any statutory changes can be brought before Missouri voters in the November 2014 election, signatures must be obtained from registered voters equal to five (5) percent of the total votes cast in the 2012 governor's election from six of the state's eight congressional districts.

Signatures on behalf of all initiative petitions for the 2014 ballot are due to the secretary of state’s office by no later than 5 p.m. on May 4, 2014.

Before circulating petitions, state law requires that groups must first have the form of their petition approved by the secretary of state and attorney general. The secretary of state then prepares a summary statement of no more than 100 words and the state auditor prepares a fiscal impact statement, both of which are subject to the approval of the attorney general. When both statements are approved, they become the official ballot title.

– 30 –

To find out more about Missouri's secretary of state's office, visit www.sos.mo.gov.

###