Senator Ben Brown’s Capitol Report for Feb. 19, 2024

Protecting the Constitution 

Following two lengthy filibusters in the Senate chamber on Monday evening and most of the day Tuesday, the Senate adjourned at an impasse. The issue being debated was Senate Joint Resolution 74, a proposal I believe will help protect the Missouri Constitution from being easily influenced by foreign or out-of-state donors and altered by voters in dense metropolitan areas who may not reflect the values of all Missourians. In order to amend the Constitution under SJR 74, all proposed amendments will require a majority of votes cast statewide, plus a majority of votes cast in a majority of Missouri’s congressional districts to pass. Safeguarding our founding document is crucial, so I suspect we will take this resolution up again soon.

In an effort to restore confidence in our elections and maintain our representative democracy governance, I was proud to present my resolution to prohibit ranked choice voting (RCV) in Missouri to the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee on Feb. 12. Senate Joint Resolution 78 will require voters to be U.S. citizens and Missouri residents and will preserve the one person – one vote system that has served as the cornerstone of our elections. RCV initiatives could further erode trust and disenfranchise voters through what is referred to as “ballot exhaustion.” In RVC elections, ballots can be disqualified or exhausted for a variety of confusing reasons and not be counted toward the final tally. In these cases, the ultimate winner of an election may not be the candidate who had overwhelming approval from voters. Ensuring every vote counts is of the utmost importance to me, so I look forward to future discussions on this important topic.

Bring the Outdoors In

Since spring is still six weeks out, one way to bring the outdoors in is to subscribe to the Missouri Conservationist. This beautifully written and picturesque monthly publication is free to Missouri residents and will be delivered right to your home. Young conservationists can sign up to receive the free XPLOR publication as well. Happy reading, exploring and taking pride in our state’s bountiful wildlife and resources.

It is an honor serving those who call the 26th Senatorial District home. If you need assistance with navigating state government or the legislative process, please reach out by calling 573-751-3678 or emailing Ben.Brown@senate.mo.gov.