Monday, December 15, 2008

Initiative Petition Relating to Banning Affirmative Action Programs Approved for Circulation for 2010 Ballot

Missouri Secretary of State
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Contact: Laura Egerdal, (573) 526-0949
Contact: Ryan Hobart, (573) 526-4734
Initiative Petition Relating to Banning Affirmative Action Programs Approved for Circulation for 2010 Ballot

JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI - Secretary of State Robin Carnahan announced today that a new initiative petition met state standards for circulation. The petition would amend the Missouri Constitution relating to banning affirmative action programs.
The ballot title for the petition relating to banning affirmative action programs reads:
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
ban affirmative action programs designed to eliminate discrimination against, and improve opportunities for, women and minorities in public contracting, employment and education; and
allow preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin to meet federal program funds eligibility standards as well as preferential treatment for bona fide qualifications based on sex?
The total cost or savings to state and local government entities is unknown. Most state governmental entities estimate no costs or savings, however, costs or savings related to future contracts are unknown. Some local governments estimate no costs or savings, but prohibition of certain municipal policies may result in unknown costs.
Before any constitutional changes can be brought before Missouri voters in the November 2010 election, signatures must be obtained from registered voters equal to eight (8) percent of the total votes cast in the 2008 governor's election from six of the state's nine congressional districts.
Signatures on behalf of all initiative petitions for the 2010 ballot are due to the Secretary of State’s office by no later than 5 p.m. on May 2, 2010.
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.
The petition relating to banning affirmative action programs was submitted by Tim Asher, Missouri Civil Rights Initiative, P.O. Box 545, Grain Valley, MO, 64029, (816) 812-4929.

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