Missouri Advisory Opinions February 27, 2023: 134-2023

Advisory Opinion Text

Missouri Secretary of State

James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center

600 West Main Street

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Dear Secretary Ashcroft:

This opinion letter responds to your request dated February 16, 2023, for our review under § 116.334, RSMo of a proposed summary statement prepared for the petition submitted by Frederic Steinbach, 2024-043. The proposed summary statement is as follows:

Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:

• supersede the statutory prohibition of Direct Recording Electronic voting machines and allow the use through 2024;

• require, except in primaries for federal offices and statewide offices, the candidate who receives the most votes to be declared the winner of the election;

• require election authorities update voter rolls upon notification by a state or federal agency; and

• allow an election authority to request the secretary of state provide technical assistance and recommended guidelines for the management, administration, and accuracy of voter rolls and registrations maintained and used by any election authority?

Pursuant to § 116.334, RSMo, we approve the legal content and form of the proposed statement. Because our review of the statement is mandated by statute, no action that we take with respect to such review should be construed as an endorsement of the petition, nor as the expression of any view regarding the objectives of its proponents.

Very truly yours,

ANDREW BAILEY Attorney General