Fact Check: "The initiative petition is expected to be submitted to the Missouri Secretary of State by August 2025, with the goal of appearing on the November 2026 ballot."
What We Know
The claim regarding the timeline for submitting an initiative petition in Missouri aligns with the state's established procedures for ballot measures. According to the Missouri Secretary of State, initiative petitions must be submitted by a specific deadline to qualify for the upcoming election. For the November 2026 ballot, the submission of petitions is indeed expected to occur in 2025, as the timeline for ballot measures typically requires that petitions be filed several months prior to the election date.
The 2026 Missouri Election Calendar indicates that the general election will be held on November 3, 2026, and that various deadlines for candidate filings and ballot measures will precede this date. This suggests that the claim regarding the submission deadline of August 2025 is plausible, as it would allow sufficient time for the verification process of the signatures collected.
Analysis
While the claim appears to be consistent with Missouri's election laws, it lacks specific corroboration from a direct source confirming the exact submission date of August 2025. The Missouri Secretary of State's initiative petition process overview outlines the general timeline and requirements for submitting petitions, but does not explicitly state that all petitions must be submitted by August 2025.
Moreover, the Daily Journal Online provides context about the initiative process but does not specify the exact submission dates for 2025. The absence of a definitive source confirming the August deadline raises questions about the reliability of the claim. The information available suggests that while the submission in 2025 is likely, the specific date of August 2025 should be treated with caution until further verification is obtained.
Conclusion
Needs Research. While the claim that the initiative petition is expected to be submitted by August 2025 for the November 2026 ballot is plausible based on Missouri's election timelines, it lacks specific confirmation from authoritative sources. Further investigation is required to validate the exact submission date and ensure that the claim is accurate.
Sources
- Ballot Measures & Initiative Petitions - Missouri Secretary of State
- 2026 Missouri Election Calendar
- 2024 Initiative Petitions Approved for Circulation in Missouri
- PDF INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PETITION PROCESS - Missouri Secretary of State
- Petition Introduction - Maryland State Board of Elections
- Running for Office
- 2026 ballot measures - Ballotpedia
- Missouri's Ballot Initiative Process - Daily Journal Online